SCRIPTURE: Job 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God. [Job 16:19-20]
In times of trial and suffering, sometimes even our friends or family become a discouragement to us.
They do not always realize it, and they likely mean well, but in their attempt to help us, they actually hinder.
They can be full of advice, or ‘what worked for them’, or what they read about in a magazine.
They may not understand the ways you are dealing with it, and may even suggest that you are doing it wrong.
I know that I can be guilty of this too – it’s the “fixer” in me that genuinely wants to help.
I am sure Job’s friends did not think they were scorning him, but that is how Job felt.

So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [Luke 18:38-39]
Here we have a blind man desperate for help, yet the people around him tell him to be quiet… nice!
But neither Job nor this blind man are deterred, for they are desperate for God’s help.
But I pour out my tears to God… But he only shouted louder!
In their case, they refused to let go of their hope, they refused to let the input from others beat them.
I wish this were the case all the time; sadly sometimes such discouragement can actually defeat people.

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” [Luke 18:40-42]
But the encouragement for me is knowing that the Lord does hear, does listen, does care.
In the case of the blind man, he received his sight immediately; in the case of Job he eventually experiences God’s comfort and help.
God does care, God is able and willing to help, and He knows best what help we need.
Like Job, like the blind man, be encouraged to keep on reaching out for God.

These stories make me think of the process of coming to faith for new christians, how often their family or friends can be the hardest part of their journey.
They can be mocked, their new faith can be attacked or belittled, some may lose their friends and some may even lose the support of their family.
Thankfully they do find new friends, and discover new support; and thankfully God does give them His Spirit to energize and support them on their faith journey.
But its got to be hard, to feel like those that ought to love you are against you.

PRAYER:
Lord, I do not know what it is to lose the support of friends or family because of my relationship to You. I do ask You to help them today, give them people who care, who understand, and who help them – not hinder them.