Friends Like These

Posted by Dion Todd September 22nd, 2024 1,088 Views 23 Comments

Yahweh restored Job's prosperity when he prayed for his friends. Yahweh gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 WEB.

There was a man named Job who went through a terrible trial. He suddenly lost everything, including his children, his servants, and his livestock. His wealth vanished. Then he became sick and was covered in painful sores and boils from head to foot. His health vanished.

As Job sat in a pile of ashes and scraped the sores covering his body, his friends came and told him that it was because of the sinful life he had lived. That is what caused all of this to happen. But actually, Job had lived a blameless and upright life.

Before this trial, Job had been a man of wealth and power, but now he had nothing. All of His children were gone. He was wiped out financially, and his health deteriorated. And it had all happened so quickly. Now his friends were against him. This was a low point.

Yet, instead of Job becoming a bitter man at the end of the book, he prayed for those same misguided friends who had accused him. Then God reversed his situation. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. God turned the captivity of Job around and set him free when Job began to pray for someone else. Everything Job had lost, he gained back double. Read chapter one of Job, then chapter forty-two, and compare the numbers. It is all listed in detail.

Jesus said: "Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them." (Matthew 18:19–20 WEB).

Solomon said: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 WEB).

Pray for others, especially when they don't deserve it, even for the ones who look down on you. When you pray for others, God will move people to pray for you. How would you pray for them? Use the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Pray for the things you would like to see in your own life to happen in theirs. It could be what sets you free from your own captivity.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for all you do for me. Please show me those in need and teach me how to pray for them. Anoint me and guide me in this today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: Happy Sunday! For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of interactive worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EDT. Here is the link to join: RHM Live. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.