COMPASSIONATE RESPONSES!

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place...and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him.  And when they lifted up their eyes at a distance, and did not recognize him, each of them tore his robe, and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky.  Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. (Job 2:11-13)

As we heard of the bombings in Boston, our hearts went out to the victims and their families.  Some of us questioned what kind of person would perpetrate such a vicious act on innocent bystanders.  We have learned, unfortunately that bad things do happen to good people sometimes.  Our prayers are with the families and those who were victimized.  Truly we understand the pain that they must feel.  Our response to them is one of compassion.  We know that even in times like these, God's grace is sufficient to comfort and strengthen them.

In the passage above, after the friends outwardly exhibited their sorrow, they then just sat with Job for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him.  Sometimes it is good to know that someone will just be there for you.  The word says, THEY CAME....THEY COMFORTED....THEY SYMPATHIZED... AND THEY SAT WITH HIM.

How do we respond to those who are in need of compassion?  It is my hope that we will respond in ways that will exhibit some of the responses listed above.  There are many hurting people that we come in contact with on a daily basis.  Perhaps we can say or do something that will make them feel a little better.  If we do that, I know that God will be pleased.