They Sat With Him

“Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.”

— Job 2:13

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Job is suffering. He’s lost his livelihood. He’s lost his children. He’s lost his health. His three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, hear about his tragedy and go to sympathize and comfort him. When they arrive, they scarcely recognize their friend and are moved to tears. They sit with him and do not speak for a full week. This is the “ministry of presence.”

Lord, so many times in my role as a pastor, I encounter people going through all kinds of tragedy and trauma. Often, I have no words to say because I feel they are trite expressions that minimize pain and offer little comfort. Sometimes—maybe most of the time—the best we can offer those in pain isn’t our answers but simply our presence.

Lord Jesus, help me discern when to speak and when to listen. When do I need to do as Job’s friends and simply be with a hurting person? When are my simplistic answers to their heart-wrenching question “Why?” best left unspoken and the best source of comfort is just being present? Lord, may I be one who brings Your presence to those who are hurting. May I be one who is quick to listen, slow to speak, and patiently waits for Your presence to communicate louder than any of my words. May I be one who simply sits with others and shows that You are sitting with us, too.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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