Impossible Reconciliation

Job 42:11

New Living Translation

Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.

For Encouragement

This is interesting!

After neglecting Job during his pain and suffering, they feel no shame in coming around to “comfort and console him.” Where were they when Job needed them the most?

That is human beings for you. When you must give it to them, they hurry to you in response to even your cough: Did you call me? Let things turn south for a moment, and their memory fails them. They withdraw as one withdraws from a skunk.

It is human to seek revenge when God restores, and things get better. But not Job. He was more gracious than his pre-affliction time. His heart remained with God, and he forgave and welcomed them. What a man!

That is the message for our counsel and emulation. Despite people’s offenses against us, we must choose to forgive and restore fellowship with them. Otherwise bitterness will rule our hearts to cause trouble for us and defile many (Heb. 12:15). Many of us have missed the grace of God for not choosing forgiveness over bitterness.

We often say, I will forgive you, but we cannot have fellowship like before. As an Akan proverb says, you cannot step twice on a fool’s tail. He gets wiser the second time. So, yes, we must be wise in handling the relationship the second time, but we should not let that stop us from trusting again, especially in a marriage situation. God blesses total forgiveness, as He has forgiven our wickedness and will never again remember our sins (8:12).

Instead of a half-hearted reconciliation, God has wholeheartedly reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ. He withholds nothing from us after reconciling us to Himself but has given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). We become Christlike when we do that—the most incredible honor to Him in response to Calvary.

God restored double of Job’s fortunes after he had forgiven and prayed for his friends. It is something to think about.

We need His restoration and blessing after our worst ordeal. Do not miss it for anybody.

Shalom

Prayer

Father, we confess our weakness when we must forgive our offenders. We hold on to the offenses under the pretext of cautious restoration of our relationships. Please give us the grace and humility to forgive and trust again as you have done for us in Christ Jesus. In His precious name, amen.