Strength and support

Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees. — Job 4:4

The local newspaper reported that a mother is devastated because her 21-year-old son, who had always seemed like an upright young man, had been arrested for dealing drugs.

An aged friend is heartbroken because her only daughter, the person she depended on more than all others died from cancer.

People who are hurting have a common need: the comfort that comes from trusting God. They need to be assured that tragedy and grief are not a mark of God’s disfavor but that He weeps with them, He loves them, and He will never leave those who are His.

Eliphaz said to Job: "Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees" (Job 4:4). Job earned this tribute despite his own deep suffering. And when we offer comfort to sorrowing and suffering people, we not only emulate Job — we emulate Jesus.

In the midst of a host of hurting people, each one of us can reach out to become a comforter like Job. Let’s ask God to make our hearts tender enough to support and strengthen those who are hurting. — Herb Vander Lugt

Reach out and give your love to

the loveless,

Reach out and make a home

for the homeless;

Reach out and shed God’s light

in the darkness —

Reach out and let the smile of God touch through you. — Brown

READ: Job 4:1-11

God doesn’t comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.

The Bible in one year:

• Judges 1-3

• Luke 4:1-30