“Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? 13 For now I would have lain still and been quiet, I would have been asleep; Then I would have been at rest 14 With kings and counselors of the earth, Who built ruins for themselves, 15 Or with princes who had gold, Who filled their houses with silver; 16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, Like infants who never saw light?” Job 3:11-16 NLT
God of life,
I like Job because he speaks his mind. He speaks his feelings, his questions and he is honest with You. I find Job difficult to read but know that not speaking something means it often festers. What is interesting is that his friends are horrified at his honesty. And they have already judged him. Perhaps they have never been depressed or in so much grief and pain. We are not supposed to judge But they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, and said nothing! Friends?
So Job spoke. Thankyou that Job teaches me to be honestly how I feel and not fear rejection from You God. He would not be losing the friendship of his visitors as he probably never had it! I know You understand because You had to let go and watch as Jesus died alone on the cross. Job here does not wish to end his life he wishes it had not happened. A subtle honest difference.
These friends brought no empathy and not a drop of sympathy. They overstayed their welcome and left no kindness or comfort. Help us to talk to You honestly when other people cannot understand. When someone asks us how we are, help us to answer and ask for prayer. And help us to ask how others are and really want to know and pray with them. Thank you that we have You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit who are with us always to listen and to speak faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) into our hearts.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 24th January 2025
Written by Lucy Milward Booth-Hellberg, who was the eighth and youngest child of William and Catherine Booth, founders of The Salvation Army. At 16 she travelled to serve in India. She was widowed at the age of forty-one, with four children to care for (a fifth child died in infancy). Lucy went on to serve God in Denmark, Norway and South America, before retiring. She certainly had reason to feel discouraged at times!
When you feel weakest, dangers surround,
Subtle temptations, troubles abound,
Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,
All is despairing, everything sad:
Keep on believing, Jesus is near;
Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way;
Faith in the night as well as the day.
If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be, and where the fight?
But in the hardness, God gives to you
Chances of proving that you are true.
God is your wisdom, God is your might,
God’s ever near you, guiding aright;
He understands you, knows all you need;
Trusting in him you’ll surely succeed.
Let us press on then, never despair,
Live above feeling, victory’s there;
Jesus can keep us so near to him
That nevermore our faith shall grow dim.
Lyrics: Lucy M Booth-Hellburg