"I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has." (Job 42:7b)
Have you ever had someone give you bad counsel in your greatest hour of need? In those times, the healing balm is what we need not salt in our wound.
Job's life reminds us of this by exhibiting his lack of a good friend. During his greatest hour of need, the ones who surrounded him all got it wrong when they tried to give insight to the reason for Job's suffering. We can be guilty of the same thing in our friends' lives if we aren't cautious. What if we don't know the reason for their circumstances? What if we are humble enough to admit that we don't know, and truthful enough to proclaim that God's still reigning? God didn't take lightly the false representation of his own character to Job by his friends, nor should we.
When it comes to earthly relationships, maybe all we really need is one good friend. A supporter who shows up and speaks the truth about God, even when his ways don't seem to make sense.
Lord, help us be the type of friend that shows up and speaks the truth about who you are. God forgive us for thinking we have to have all the answers. Thank you for always being in control over everything.
