People of Compassion

As people of compassion, Job 17 reminds us not to dismiss another’s darkness with easy answers but to acknowledge pain honestly, weep with those who weep, and reflect God’s mercy in difficult seasons.

“They make night into day: ‘The light,’ they say, ‘is near to the darkness” (Job 17:12 NASB).

Job was frustrated. His friends didn’t care that “my days are past; my plans are broken off” (v. 11). He had lost everything and had many burdens. He didn’t know what, if anything, he had done to deserve these problems.

Job felt that his life was surrounded by darkness, but his friends denied that darkness and simply said, “The light is near.” Their words did not help, but merely intensified his sense that they had no compassion and just wanted to criticize.

Later, Job would realize he had much to learn, and God had been at work in his life all along.

God works in the “night” of our lives. Even when it’s dark, we can be confident that light will soon break through. But we can cause ourselves great frustration if we fail to acknowledge the difficult situations of life: the struggles, needs, losses, pain, doubt, burdens, anxieties, and pressures. Once we’ve recognized the reality of these dark places in our lives, we can focus on God as our hope and our constant source of light.

Paul wrote that we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We are to be people of truth, but also of mercy … ready to teach, but also to listen … always caring.

Ask God to give you greater love for the lost. Listen, show compassion, and be an instrument of healing and mercy.

Reflection Question: Do you offer comfort—or quick answers?