“Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” Job 2:8-13 NKJV
Oh Lord and Father,
Job has not just been bereaved of his sons and daughters and wealth – he has the scorn of his wife. Followed by the discomfort of terrible sores from his feet to the top of his head. He has no comfort anywhere, anytime.
And his friends come and sit with him for seven nights in silence and have no comfort either. In hindsight perhaps it was kinder to say nothing then later when they did speak. It is sometimes not possible to find the right words to say to someone – but 7 days!
Lord, I cannot remember what people said to me when I was bereaved. I just know I was glad they did not ignore me. But they did not outstay their welcome and often did practical things like bring a meal or something to tempt me to eat. They washed up for me and asked if I needed anything. I remember they were kind. One friend popped round for an hour in the evening because he knew it would help it pass and he could pray with me for a good nights sleep.
Everyone is different in their needs. But Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:26 that the church is like a body and if one part suffers, every part suffers with it. So we just need to learn to care, spiritually and practically sometimes. Not sit in silence horrified and then be judge and jury. And love those both inside and outside the church who need comfort and a Saviour.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 1st September 2026
Help us to help each other, Lord,
each other’s cross to bear;
let each his friendly aid afford,
and feel another’s care.
Help us to build each other up,
Our little stock improve;
Increase our faith, confirm our hope,
And perfect us in love.
Up into thee, our living head,
let us in all things grow,
Till Thou hast made us free indeed
And spotless here below.
Then when the mighty work is wrought
Receive Thy ready bride;
Give us in heaven a happy lot
With all the sanctified.
Lyrics: Charles Wesley