May 17, 2016

God Is The Best Friend We Have

11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. -- Job 2:11-13

Goosie was really excited to meet her nine new friends today. She walked around and around the pen, talking loudly to them. They spoke back too.

I wanted to let Goosie into the pen with the others but I was worried about her. What if the nine turned on poor Goosie?

We made the decision to let her into the pen. I had no need to worry about Goosie. She was just fine -- as she attacked the other geese. She latched on to one poor goose and the two went round and round. I got quite firm with her. She ignored me. But she did eventually let go.

Things are calm now. They have made a peace of sorts. Eventually we’ll turn them all out and it will be Goosie who shows the new geese the pond and all the ins and outs of living here. It’s what friends do.

Job had lost everything but his life and his God. His friends hurried to comfort him. Those who have read the book of Job know that those same friends criticized him, admonishing Job to confess whatever he’d done to deserve all that had befallen him.

That had to be hard for Job to hear. When tough times come along, we expect support and comfort from those closest to us. Sometimes we are fortunate and they step up. Other times they let us down.

Not all criticism is intended to harm. Job’s friends thought they were helping. But sometimes the best intentions come for all the wrong reasons. And sometimes the “best intentions” are merely an opportunity to attack.

There’s no hurt that goes so deep as that hurt which comes from those closest to you. Sometimes it’s the betrayal of a spouse. Maybe it’s being abandoned by a parent. It might be rejection by the person you thought was your best friend.

Life has taught me how to empathize just a bit with Job. I have learned to rely on God and God alone for guidance and support and love. He is true and faithful. His love never wavers. That’s important in a world where betrayal sometimes comes from those who are closest to us.