Focus Chapters:
- Job 1-4
Standout Verse(s):
Job 4:3-6 NLT
“In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees.
But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you. Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?
Observation (s):
- It is quite easy to encourage, strengthen and support others when we are not the ones in the situation.
“In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees.
- The true test of faith came when Job was the one enduring the hardship. It was then that he needed to have faith and believe that God could carry him through.
But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you. Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?
Application:
It is a strange phenomenon. Our hearts are filled with prayers and our mouths are filled with encouragements for our friends when they experience trouble. We will be their primary support and encourage them to trust in God and believe that their dawn is coming. Things change when the shoe is on the other foot; when we are the ones facing the problems. Then, it becomes hard to see beyond the darkness. I remember dark times when I couldn’t even muster up the energy or will to pray. Our darkest moments are the moments in which we need the most faith.
It is then our eyes, like David’s, should be fixed to the hills from whence our help comes. Don’t focus on the spoils in the valley! Look to God and watch how your perspective and circumstances change. After all, your help comes from God.
