Job 19; 3-5 (NLT) – You have already insulted me ten times. You should be ashamed of treating me so badly. Even if I have sinned that is my concern not yours. You think you’re better than I am using my humiliation as evidence of my sin.
Job’s friends were quick to point out that Job had sinned and needed to admit it. They were thoroughly convinced based on Job’s circumstances that he was not living right and that all he lost was the consequence of that. Job had told them they were treating him wrong and that they did not know for sure if sin has brought upon him all this devastation.
In life and in 99% of all situations no one knows the exact reasons why someone suffers losses and setbacks. We may think we know why someone’s marriage has struggled or have quickly placed the blame on one person for a falling out but we could never swear to it with exact certainty. The only One with that power is God who is all knowing and all seeing. Yet how many of us have at times acted as if we were God. Freely giving advice and rebukes where needed, assuming we know all we need to, to make a summation and verdict of a situation.
If you have been given the gift of discernment then I am sure your natural inclination is to be critical and judgmental initially. But God does not call us to criticize and judge but to encourage and lift up, to use our words and influence to restore people to the Lord. He calls us to intercede in prayer and build up. To love, love, love and when all else fails love some more.
God please forgive me and any of my sisters when we have judged, assumed and used our words to tear down. Forgive us for our pride in assuming we know things in a rash way. Help us to remember that our goal is to bring You glory and that You are most pleased when we love one another. Let our words be soothing and our prayers to be for Your divine healing in one another’s lives. In Your precious name I pray, Amen.
Victory Call 