Refreshed or Turned Away

Job had suffered in many ways. He desperately needed friends who were kind and who cared about him. But his friends had “dealt deceitfully” with him. He compared their reaction to a brook that flows with abundant water in the spring but, in hot weather, the water becomes scarce and hard to find.

He compared his situation to a caravan moving through the desert, searching for this water. Although desperate, no water could be found. It had vanished in the heat. Like that caravan, he needed to be refreshed, but could find nothing.

This is how Job felt: His friends gave him no help. They saw his troubles but reacted with accusations and allegations. He felt that they were so lacking in compassion and loyalty that “you would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend” (v. 27 NLT).

The Bible reminds us of the importance of encouragement, of helping people when they have needs, of being good listeners. The Bible tells us that “those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NLT); that God is the “source of all comfort;” that “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT).

Today, think about the people God brings into your life. Be ready to let God use you to impact them for the Gospel. Show that you care and that you’re ready to lift their burdens and point them to Jesus.