Friends of Job… Good morning Hump Day Readers. In the middle-of-this-week my heart turned to friendship, so I put aside the devotion I was going to use and pursue one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given to us—friendship— and this brought my mind to the Job of the Bible.

Job who lost everything—family, wealth, health—and yet did not lose his faith in God. How I aspire to Job’s deep faith! His story is so interesting because, while in the midst of Job’s suffering, Job’s three friends came to pay him a visit. They have some interesting names, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite! And we think some of the names given to kids today are quirky!

As we travel with Job and these 3 men we find care, weeping, and they even 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 and no words could console it. As a hospice chaplain, these friends did exactly what was needed, the quiet of no words but the presence of love surrounding their friend.

However, when the friends did decide to speak it would have been better if they would have just stayed quiet. Why? They blurted out their theory that the innocent don’t suffer and God only rewards the good and Job needed to come clean and admit this bad sin he did so he could get rid of his deep pain. It’s easy to not understand a friend and easier yet to become self-righteous, hoping to get that friend up and running again with our own marching orders. We’ve fallen into that trap with friendship and it doesn’t work at all. Even God had stern words for these 3 guys: “After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7 NLT)

Later in Job 16:20-21, we hear these words of lament and hope from Job himself, saying: “My go-between, my friend. While my eyes drip tears to God, let him plead with God for a human being, like a person pleads for a friend.” Oh friends, does that not remind us of the power of friendship?

I love C.S. Lewis’ quote about friendship: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, “You too? I thought I was the only one.”  This quote is a reminder that we always want to grasp every opportunity to offer encouragement to others, whether they are close friends or not.

Jesus calls us his friends. Imagine that, sinners that we are, the Perfect One calls us ‘Friend.’ Think about that for a moment, what a gift—a promise for friendship forever. Now think about how long it’s been since you’ve seen a good friend. Too long? Pick up the phone, most of us are on it most of the day anyway! Now think of the friends that you’ve maybe strayed away from. Isn’t it time to bury those old hatchets that cut you off from each other? Good friendships last with humble hearts and forgiveness.

This last week dear friends of ours for 33 years that we haven’t seen for quite a while and are now raising their 3 fun but boisterous grandsons, came camping at Lake Abiquiu. It was as if we had never been apart. Each day was an adventure—kayaks, swimming, picking up scooters and exploring for “gem rocks.” Their energy gave me energy despite my constant sciatica because I could see myself in them, finding wonder, new stuff and yes even ‘pushing the envelope!’ Old memories and now new wonderful memories to add to my journey of life.

C.S. Lewis’ quote above reminds us that being alone is worthless and dangerous. God has not designed our lives to being alone. Are friendships easy—heck no, just ask Job! But, loneliness, as medical doctors say, “is a slow and early death.” Yes, friendship can be tough, our best friends can turn into Job’s 3 friends. Let’s face it, our human frailty is fraught with sin, but in Jesus’ strength, we can rise above and love others, accept them as friends in our lives and together, the love and respect can grow with years of meaningful friendships.

In closing, think on these words from Baltasar Gracián, a highly respected Spanish Jesuit from the 16th century who said: “There is no wilderness like a life without friends; friendship multiplies blessings and minimizes misfortunes; it is a unique remedy against adversity, and it soothes the soul.” OK—now go phone a friend! AMEN.