Encouraged Many

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Job 4 (Click Link)

3 “In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak. 4 Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees. (Job 4:3-4 NLT)

3 “You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit. 4 Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse.”  (Job 4:3-4 MSG)

You have to be careful reading through the story of Job. Not everything that Job and his three friends say is the truth. It’s real to them, what they say, and it’s mostly based on observation of the human situation and how humans like us react or respond to suffering, our own or that of our friends. The story of Job is not written to give us black and white answers for why Job suffered, it’s mostly there to raise tough questions about life, the toughest of which may well be “Why do bad things happen to good people”.

So I really wasn’t prepared for the way these two verses caught my attention, and I was surprised by what this seemed to be saying. This really spoke to me, and it made me want these words of Eliphaz the Temanite to describe my life and the effect I have on other people:

  • Speak words that clarify. God spoke to me in a prophecy in 1972 that my teaching would take what is complicated and make it simple, take what is hard to understand and make it clear. I want to do that.
  • Encourage those who are about to quit. One of my Bible heroes is Barnabas, the Encourager. I love to speak the right word at the right time to help someone step up and give it one more try.
  • Put stumbling people on their feet. Sometimes it’s words, sometimes it’s listening, sometimes it’s offering a suggestion, sometimes it’s asking a question. Sometimes, it’s just being there for them.
  • Put fresh hope in people about to collapse. Tell a God-story, share an insight about the goodness and faithfulness of God. It’s no wonder so many churches are called “New Hope!” People need a little hope.

Prayer:

Father, Once again your word is amazing to me! I didn’t expect to find something so specifically directed at me in the words of Eliphaz. My prayer is simply, “May it be to me according to your word.” Amen.