Scripture: Job 16; Acts 21-23

Job 16:1-5 Then Job defended himself:

“I’ve had all I can take of your talk.
   What a bunch of miserable comforters!
Is there no end to your windbag speeches?
   What’s your problem that you go on and on like this?
If you were in my shoes,
   I could talk just like you.
I could put together a terrific harangue
   and really let you have it.
But I’d never do that. I’d console and comfort,
   make things better, not worse!

Observations: Job lashes out at the men who offer only accusation instead of comfort and aid. The Church and its leaders often finds ways to do the same thing to the unchurched and even its own.

Application: While many people find themselves in situations of their own creation, God doesn’t differentiate between those who have fallen on hard times and those who jumped in headfirst. I need to stop using my judgment as an excuse for not reaching towards those people. There but for the grace of God go I.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for helping me to see that the mercy you have shown me is undeserved, and so should the mercy I offer be as well. Amen.