Job 6:24. “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” COMPASSION. The power of words is such, that often little is better than much – The ears of a hurting soul need to hear the tone. Words pouring out in a flood, speak more of men than God – And the result is not better but worse when they are done. A facial expression shows, the one who suffers really knows If the depth of your interest is real and sincere. The thoughtful few words you say, spoken in a sensitive way, May be just what the listener needs to hear.
True compassion cannot be faked; it is possible to make A heavy load lighter by drawing near. You may not have to say a thing, but the fact that you did bring A genuine and caring concern, helps one to bear A time of grief and sorrow, as they wonder if tomorrow Will bring relief or if the trial will go on and on. Compassion makes one stay, until they’re sure they can go away And nothing they could do is left undone.
God gives grace for every trial, but sometimes to walk a mile With a friend is the best thing you can do. In faith we take the time to help our friend to find The peace and comfort needed to carry through. True compassion brings some light, into the darkness of a night That seems to go on forever without end. God’s grace may be seen, where a compassionate one has been, And the comforted one is glad for that person God did send.
We need to be aware – all around us, really everywhere Are people who need the blessing we can bring. They may have ups and downs; few smiles, a lot of frowns, And they need to hear the uplifting songs we can sing. May I always be willing and ready; not wishy-washy but steady, To bring normality to a situation. And by compassion and grace, mixed truth and a lot of faith, Turn grief and suffering into celebration.
“Lord God, remember that grieving family for good today. They have been living in bitterness so long, I am not sure if they know what joy is. Help those who are there to give Thy Word and not sympathize with their complaints about others, but “lead them to the Rock that is higher than I.” In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
In the seventh chapter, Job turns his pleas to God Himself (You - v.12). He knows God knows Him completely, in and out, and that God has full understanding of who he is and what he has done. His friends did not know God, Job or themselves, or if they did have a small understanding of deity, they didn't know him as Job, to whom God was his Redeemer and Friend,
Job said that even hired labor or slave laborers look forward to some rest and relief after a hard day's word at grinding labor. The suffering of heat and strain of work gives way to a cool evening and rest. But he got no rest at night. Worms were in his sores. His skin had broken and running scabs. Now even his friends didn't bring him any relief. As far as he was concerned, his life and hope were fading quickly away and the grave was waiting for him. So, he wanted God to hear what he had to say what was on his mind. "Why are You treating me like a monster? If You are wanting to refine me through suffering, what is happening to me is too much for this frail man. I don't want to keep on living like this with this suffering. Just let me die in peace instead of suffering this terrible misery. After all, what is man? You set Your heart upon him and then discipline him without a reason and without any letup until he despairs of living and can't even swallow his own spit."
Then Job makes another plea from his heart to God. "What did I do to You? Please let me know. Please pardon me and keep me from doing whatever I did that was wrong, and then I will lie down in the dust and die."
Satan merciless attack and the terrible adversity, brought Job close to the place where his integrity was close to being in jeopardy. It is in times like this we must draw near to God and to His people. It is from them that love and compassion comes that is real. That may not take away the desperate things that happen to us, but in such times, we are in need of the kind of help that can only come from those who are holy. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." "God is my salvation; I will trust in Thee and not be afraid."