Summary: Job was a biblical figure whom God tested over and over again. God allowed everything that Job loved to be taken from him, so Job was moved to grief. His friends didn’t know how to help him. So what did they do? The Bible says, “And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” All they could do was sit with their friend as he grieved. Sometimes words are not helpful in the face of grief. Some griefs are too deep to be expressed. A godly friend who can sit with someone in the midst of that grief can bring the comfort of Jesus. This can be better than providing any words. A certain speaker once said, “The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.” Words are easy to say, but sometimes silence is louder. In the silence, pray loudly in your heart. Use the silence as a time to approach God with requests for comfort and joy for your friend. God will hear your prayer, and your friend will feel your presence. Then, when your friend is ready to talk, you will be there to provide God’s comfort in that time of grief. Have God’s promises clearly memorized so your comfort is God’s Word, not yours alone. This is Luis Palau.
