Job 42:11 

New International Version (NIV)

All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.

For Meditation

Interesting!

After neglecting Job during his pain and suffering, they felt no shame in coming around to eat with him and to “comfort and console him” (Job 42:11). I did not know Job had siblings and acquaintances until then. Was it not too late, and where were they when he was suffering?

That is human beings for you. They will come to you when you can meet their needs, even when you do not need them. Let things turn sour for you, and they suffer amnesia concerning it. Do you see how people withdraw from a skunk? 

Job had every reason to keep his people at arm’s length after his recovery. Being human, the natural propensity was to take revenge after his terrible ordeal that drove people away from him, but he did not. Old Job was even more gracious than in his pre-affliction time. His heart remained with God, and he gladly forgave and welcomed his brothers and sisters, who deserted him throughout his affliction. What a man!

Job has become our model for dealing with ourselves when those we love hurt us. We deal better with our offenders when we have dealt well with ourselves. Despite their offenses, we must choose to forgive and restore fellowship with them, guided by lessons learned and with wisdom instructing us. 

We often talk about forgiveness without restored fellowship. Imagine God dealing with us in that way. So, we forgive and learn from Jesus to relate again, fresh, with cautious optimism. We should not let the pain of their desertion stop us from relating again, difficult and threatening as it may be. We can trust God to restore trust over time, according to His will, and the grace to give ourselves to it. If His glory is our goal, the Holy Spirit will honor our efforts. The Father blesses our total forgiveness, just as He has completely forgiven us in Christ.

Our reconciliation is not a half-hearted grace from God. He withholds nothing from us after reconciling us to Himself, not fellowship. We become Christlike when we do the same—the most incredible honor to Him in response to Calvary.

For your encouragement, remember that God restored to Job twice all his pre-ordeal fortunes after Job forgave and prayed for his friends (Job 42:10). We need His restoration and blessing after forgiving and praying for those who have hurt us. Do not miss it for anything.

Pray with Me

Father, give me the heart of Jesus so that I can forgive and reconcile with those who desert me in times of affliction. Amen!