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DIRECTING OUR THOUGHTS
LORD’S DAY, APRIL 10
Job 2:11-13

Psalm 101

 

“Whatsoever things are pure,

…think on these things.”

 

DIRECTING OUR THOUGHTS
 
Job had been able to endure the ridicule of his wife and remain silent before the Lord in his suffering. However, bad news generally travels very rapidly and Job’s friends heard about his misfortune. It appears that these friends were probably men of wealth and position, although, perhaps, not as wealthy as Job had been. These three friends came to visit Job in his hour of need to comfort him (Job 2:11).
 
Words cannot fully convey the unbelievable state which Job had fallen into. He was so different from the man he had once been that his friends failed to recognise him. When they finally recognised the pathetic creature as their friend, they burst into mourning (Job 2:12). When they saw Job’s horrific physical condition, all thoughts of comforting him seemed to have vanished. All the things they had planned to say seemed empty and useless in the face of their friend’s great suffering. Completely overcome by the horror of Job’s situation, they sat for seven long days and nights in complete silence (Job 2:13).
 
Job too sat with his three friends in silence. As time passed and the intense suffering filled his mind, he began to forget the faithfulness and mercy of God and began to dwell on his present condition.
 
Our mouths speak what overflows from our hearts (Luke 6:45). If Satan can get us to take our eyes off from the Lord and look at ourselves instead, he has gained an advantage. On the other hand, when our minds dwell on the Lord, His Word sustains us. The Psalmist said when his mind was crowded with difficulties and worry, the Word of the Lord comforted him (Ps 94:19). The Apostle Paul reminds us that we should think about the blessings of the Lord and the good things in life (Phil 4:8).
 
We too can find strength in times of trouble when we remember the faithfulness of God and the eternal blessings of salvation.
 
THOUGHT: Why did Job begin to weaken under Satan’s attack?
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, that the thought of Thy blessings brings me joy and contentment even in difficult times.

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