Read: Job 17-20

Passage: Job 19:14

It’s no wonder Job felt alone. He lost his children, his servants, and all his possessions in the blink of an eye. The pain and sorrow he felt were overwhelming, and those around him couldn’t understand what he was going through. His friends couldn’t grasp the depth of his suffering or how he was feeling. Even worse, they showed no compassion for him. Instead of offering comfort, they criticized him, making his pain even worse.

Where were the godly people? In times of trouble, you would expect those Job had supported in the past, to be there for him. You would think they would surround him during his darkest days, offering prayers and encouragement. People offering prayers or a word of encouragement should have been a constant support for Job in his time of need. But in that time, they believed that if you were suffering, it was your own fault. It’s surprising how many people today still think this way, blaming others for their hardships instead of offering support.

It would be easy to focus on why Job should have had people supporting him. We naturally wonder why those close to him didn’t stand by his side. The Bible has a lot to say about this. Scripture tells us to support one another in tough times: “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), “Comfort one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). These verses remind us that it’s our responsibility to be there for those in need, to offer a listening ear, a comforting word, or practical help. When Job’s friends didn’t do this, they failed not only Job but also God.

But let’s think about another important lesson. It’s true that Job was abandoned and shouldn’t have been. His friends and even his wife turned away from him when he needed them most. He found no love or support, only discouragement. This made his suffering even harder to bear. Even his wife told him to curse God and die (Job 2:9). But Job wasn’t alone. Even though people abandoned him, God was always with him. God’s support was constant, even if it wasn’t always obvious. God was the steady presence in Job’s life, helping him endure his pain and loss.

This could happen to any of us. The struggles Job faced aren’t unique to him; we too might go through times of deep loss and loneliness. Like a good shepherd, the Lord might lead us into the “valley of the shadow of death,” which represents the darkest times in our lives. But even in these dark times, our Shepherd is always with us. He doesn’t abandon us when we need Him most. Instead, He stays by our side, guiding us and giving us strength through every challenge. He is always on our side, as Romans 8:31 reminds us: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This gives us the courage to face our trials, knowing we are never truly alone.

J. Arnette

CHCOC