A LOWER LOW
Today's reading: Job 19-20

"Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy, for the hand of God has struck me." Job 19:21 NLT

In my opinion the twentieth chapter of Job is the saddest of them all.

This chapter is when Job seemingly hits a lower low.

To read it is gut-wrenching.

To live it would be so painful.

And so many of us do live through the torture Job speaks about...

We have all been given advice by friends that cuts us to the quick. We have all, at one time or another, been looked down upon because of the trials we have been asked to endure. We have all been scrutinized and found lacking, found deserving of the trying times that befall us.

Worst of all?

Worst of all is that at some point in our lives we have been so flooded with advice, so inundated with Bible verses, so patted on the back and too many times tsskd-tsskd...but not been offered the privilege of being prayed for.

I don't remember a single time in the book of Job where his friends offered to pray for or with him.

That's sad.

His friends see him hemorrhaging and instead of offering even a bandage they spend time processing the situation.

I am guilty of the same.

I have offered advice. I have quoted great Christian leaders. I have directed towards the Bible. I have pointed out where mistakes may have been made. I have attempted to solve their problems based on the newest craze on the books. I have pointed out the mistakes of others to the point that blame might be shifted. I have discussed and diagrammed the situation until one would think I was a psychiatrist...but don't always offer to pray.

To speak to God on behalf of the friend in need.

To mention their name to the Creator.

To push them towards the only Hope there is available.

To carry them on their stretcher to the house where Jesus is.

To allow them the peace that comes only when hearing another present your needs to the Father.

It's when I don't pray that I become one of Job's friends.