August 27, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

"A despairing person should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty." (Job 6:14)

After spending a week sitting in silence with his friends, Job finally opens his mouth in hopelessness and curses the day he was born because of all the misfortune that befell him. As he languishes in misery, one of them insists that he must have done something wrong and must repent. He then tells him that what he needs is kind encouragement, not indictment.

The story of the man born blind in John 9 shows that the disciples think in like manner. To them, he or his parents must have sinned. Otherwise he wouldn't have been born blind. But Jesus shows them a more godly attitude toward such a situation which asks how God can be glorified in it (obviously through his healing), rather than who is at fault. Like Job, the blind man needs ministry and compassion, not judgment and condemnation.

Let us learn to be true friends especially to those in despair.