The Most Needed and Often Most Neglected Ministry

“O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!” (Job 16:21 AV)

Rather than sit there and insult Job, accusing him all of sorts of faults which he did not have, maybe what they should have done is have a prayer meeting for Job.  Every time I read this book, I am struck by the insensitivity of Job’s three friends.  In this chapter of Job, his relationship with these three men changes.  He no longer considers them his friends.  He refers to them as his enemies.  This is half-way through this discourse.  This doesn’t stop further assault.  It continues.  Even more viciously the accusations fly that condemns Job for sin which he never did nor would ever do.  The above verse is the answer to Job’s need and the most compassionate of acts which friends could do.  There is a time to seek wisdom and answers, and a time to simply pray.  For Job, it was a time for prayer. 

Men are problem solvers.  When someone divulges hardship, our first instinct is to assess the situation, find its cause, and fix it.  This is all these three men were trying to do.  The problem is, the situation was above everyone’s pay-grade.  No one even entertained the possibility Job was the spotlight of an altercation between God and the Devil.  Be that as it may, even if it was because of sin, there is a time to bring that up and a time to simply get someone through what they are going through with compassion and patience.  There are even circumstances wherein the consequences of a past choice has caused the present situation and common sense reveals this.  It does not need to be stated because there is no future choice that can undo the circumstances.  Nothing needs to be said.  There are times when the circumstances are so overwhelming, focus is upon enduring through it and not fixing what may be wrong.  The situation actually orchestrates right choices without have to analyze it to death.  Like an injury caused be foolish choice teaches one not to do that again.  It doesn’t need to be stated.

The point is, like Job’s friends, we are too quick to analyze and not quick enough to pray.  We are too quick to find fault and repair; not quick enough to repose to the throne of God.  We are too quick to integrate; not quick enough to intercede.  What Job needed most of all and what his three friends failed to give was affirmation of their support regardless of cause, bringing him, his family, and his situation to the LORD.  It is amazing what a word of prayer will accomplish that multiple words of reason fail to do.