What I have done before each time I read is spend some time in prayer. I ask God to show me things I need to work on. I ask for forgiveness for things I have done. Today I fell to my knees. I really felt God’s presence. And he showed me a somewhat older song. “All I Need is You” by Hillsong. Some of you may know it. Some may not. He showed me that I haven’t been relying on Him as much as I should. I haven’t been putting God first in my life. I have been too comfortable at my jobs, when I had them. I put Amanda first in my life. I really did. I loved her so much that I put her ahead of God. And because I was “worshiping” things in front of Him, I needed a reality check. I got it. Now I am going to learn from it. Because God, All I need is You.
Scripture: Job 2:12-13 12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
Observation: When Job’s friends saw the suffering he was going through, they barely recognized him. His physical suffering was that bad. Because of this, they felt such a strong compassion that they began weeping themselves. For 7 days and 7 nights they said nothing to him. You may think this is a little weird. But back in those times, it was Jewish custom that when people come to comfort somebody who is mourning, they wouldn’t speak until the mourner speaks. A lot of times when we see someone suffering, we have the urge to say something spiritual or insightful. A lot of the time that is not what they need. They need someone who is emphatically silent and shows them compassion.
Application: There are a ton of times that I have seen friends go through some pretty hard times. And I haven’t been there for them. I haven’t weeped with them. I haven’t showed the compassion that Jesus showed time and time again. I haven’t managed myself enough to be able to help my friends out the best I can. And that is something I really need to work on. I need to stop making excuses on why I can’t do things.
Prayer: God, I know I haven’t been as big of a help to my friends that I could be. God, I pray that you can mold me to be more compassionate. I pray that I can be that open ear. I pray that when my friends are going through their trials and tribulations, that I can show them compassion. Thank you Jesus. In Your heavenly name, Amen
Today I got some out of the chapter I read. But I got a lot more out of the prayer that I had before I read. I realized so much. I have some things to think about. I have changes in my life I need to make, and I’m going to make them. Number one is being 100% sure that God is first in my life. It’s amazing how easy it is to push Him aside. I am going to make sure that He is Lord of ALL my life. Not just this piece or that piece, but ALL of it. All I need is you, Lord!
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