Title

Be a Comforter

Scripture
I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all!
(Job 16:2)
Devotional
We never beat people up, we only beat them down. It is easy to throw stones. It is much more difficult to remove them. People need encouragement. They know their condition. They know where they are. What they want to know is how to get from where they are to where they need to be. It is O.K. to tell them how and why they are in their present state. It is not O.K. to stay there. When a shortcoming is shared and repentance is evident, press onward. Job’s “friends” were so concerned with what Job had done to deserve such a state that they neglected to help him out of his circumstance. Their words made them comfortable, but brought no comfort to Job. Isaiah writes, “‘Comfort, yes comfort My people!’ says your God.” Therefore, when a friend is down, do not beat him further down. Comfort him. Do not condone his condition. Get him out of it.