Book of Job
Chapter
16
1. Then Job answered ; 2. "I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. 3. Have windy words no limit? Or what provokes you that you keep on talking? 4. I also could talk as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you. 5. I could encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 1 to 5)
As Job emphasized the attitude of those accusing him is one that violates the rules of empathy which require that the helper imagines himself in the person's situation and also reflect how that person could feel or behave in his or her situation. This is the major key to understanding another person. In order to get an idea about how empathy functions I invite you to click on the following link:-
The meaning and use of empathy
6. "If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me? 7. Surely now God has worn me out; he has made desolate all my company. 8. And he has shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; my leanness has risen up against me, and it testifies to my face.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 6 to 8)
Oh God my Father many times even the helper is in need of help, and how painful it feels when one cries out for help and understanding and does not find it, or else is confronted by criticism instead of finding understanding. I offer You oh God such situations, however this is not new to You, for up to the last seconds of Your life, those present kept on taunting You with insults that cut to the heart, which were enough to rip Your heart out, but You kept Your vision and trust on God the Father and You were not abandoned or forsaken, therefore during such moments we are to have the same attitude and perspective that we are not abandoned even though our situation seems to be humanly hopeless. Amen.
9. He has torn me in his wrath, and hated me; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verse 9)
Oh God my Father the enemy is glaring against me, the evil one really hates me. He is attacking me from all sides, trying to persuade me to lose hope in You my God and Father. Many things are happening all at once, an error in my computer is compelling me to use a slow computer thus hindering my progress, my marriage is in a mess, all I have is You my God and Father.
10. They have gaped at me with their mouths; they have struck me insolently on the cheek; they mass themselves together against me.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verse 10)
Oh God the world gives us many messages when in a situation, many people tend to choose divorce or separation. These are the modern trends that compel us to behave according to these norms. I pray oh God my Father that I never adopt such ways of thinking and behaviour even though my situation is not that good Amen. Oh God I trust in You, to solve all our issues, for I have exhausted all my cards Amen.
11. God gives me up to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked. 12. I was at ease, and he broke me in two; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target; 13. his archers surround me. He slashes open my kidneys, and shows no mercy; he pours out my gall on the ground.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 11 to 13)
Oh God, my Father when we are passing through a hard time, we feel that all hell has broken loose and the feeling of awfulness takes control over our thoughts and emotions as if all the bad things are happening only to us in the world and not to others.
14. He bursts upon me again and again; he rushes at me like a warrior.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verse 14)
Oh God my Father Your arrows are not ones that bring death and sorrow but of love. You test us again and again for our own good so that like a sculpture that is in process You remove the extra pieces of stone until You make of us a majestic masterpiece. Amen
15. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my strength in the dust. 16. My face is red with weeping, and deep darkness is on my eyelids, 17. though there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 15 to 17)
Oh God my Father even though Job was experiencing great moments of physical and emotional anguish he remained firm in prayer and humility. Help us oh God to be likewise in such situations and adopt a state of redemption and humility because this is a bridge in our relationship with You Amen. Humble people have space for You in their hearts but the proud are already full of themselves Amen.
18. "O earth, do not cover my blood; let my outcry find no resting place. 19. Even now, in fact, my witness is in heaven, and he that vouches for me. 20. My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, 21. that he would maintain the right of a mortal with God, as one does for a neighbor. 22. For when a few years have come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 16 verses 18 to 22)
Oh God I lift up my heart only to You, for You are the only one who really and truly understands me and knows me as I am with all my strengths and weaknesses. Other people do not even try to understand me or show concern for me. Many people reason logically or legalistically and never consider what others are feeling, others even try to persuade You to even think like them in order to get their way or justify even negative actions, without considering that one day we will all be accountable for our actions in Your presence Amen.
Oh God my Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Oh God my Father, I thank You for loving and understanding me and loving me just as I am and not as You would like me to be. Thank You for being my refuge and consolation especially during times of trouble and tribulations Amen
6. "If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me? 7. Surely now God has worn me out; he has made desolate all my company. 8. And he has shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; my leanness has risen up against me, and it testifies to my face.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 6 to 8)
Oh God my Father many times even the helper is in need of help, and how painful it feels when one cries out for help and understanding and does not find it, or else is confronted by criticism instead of finding understanding. I offer You oh God such situations, however this is not new to You, for up to the last seconds of Your life, those present kept on taunting You with insults that cut to the heart, which were enough to rip Your heart out, but You kept Your vision and trust on God the Father and You were not abandoned or forsaken, therefore during such moments we are to have the same attitude and perspective that we are not abandoned even though our situation seems to be humanly hopeless. Amen.
9. He has torn me in his wrath, and hated me; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verse 9)
Oh God my Father the enemy is glaring against me, the evil one really hates me. He is attacking me from all sides, trying to persuade me to lose hope in You my God and Father. Many things are happening all at once, an error in my computer is compelling me to use a slow computer thus hindering my progress, my marriage is in a mess, all I have is You my God and Father.
10. They have gaped at me with their mouths; they have struck me insolently on the cheek; they mass themselves together against me.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verse 10)
Oh God the world gives us many messages when in a situation, many people tend to choose divorce or separation. These are the modern trends that compel us to behave according to these norms. I pray oh God my Father that I never adopt such ways of thinking and behaviour even though my situation is not that good Amen. Oh God I trust in You, to solve all our issues, for I have exhausted all my cards Amen.
11. God gives me up to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked. 12. I was at ease, and he broke me in two; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target; 13. his archers surround me. He slashes open my kidneys, and shows no mercy; he pours out my gall on the ground.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 11 to 13)
Oh God, my Father when we are passing through a hard time, we feel that all hell has broken loose and the feeling of awfulness takes control over our thoughts and emotions as if all the bad things are happening only to us in the world and not to others.
14. He bursts upon me again and again; he rushes at me like a warrior.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verse 14)
Oh God my Father Your arrows are not ones that bring death and sorrow but of love. You test us again and again for our own good so that like a sculpture that is in process You remove the extra pieces of stone until You make of us a majestic masterpiece. Amen
15. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my strength in the dust. 16. My face is red with weeping, and deep darkness is on my eyelids, 17. though there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
(Book of Wisdom Job Chapter 16 verses 15 to 17)
Oh God my Father even though Job was experiencing great moments of physical and emotional anguish he remained firm in prayer and humility. Help us oh God to be likewise in such situations and adopt a state of redemption and humility because this is a bridge in our relationship with You Amen. Humble people have space for You in their hearts but the proud are already full of themselves Amen.
18. "O earth, do not cover my blood; let my outcry find no resting place. 19. Even now, in fact, my witness is in heaven, and he that vouches for me. 20. My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, 21. that he would maintain the right of a mortal with God, as one does for a neighbor. 22. For when a few years have come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.
(Book of Wisdom Chapter 16 verses 18 to 22)
Oh God I lift up my heart only to You, for You are the only one who really and truly understands me and knows me as I am with all my strengths and weaknesses. Other people do not even try to understand me or show concern for me. Many people reason logically or legalistically and never consider what others are feeling, others even try to persuade You to even think like them in order to get their way or justify even negative actions, without considering that one day we will all be accountable for our actions in Your presence Amen.
Oh God my Father I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:
Oh God my Father, I thank You for loving and understanding me and loving me just as I am and not as You would like me to be. Thank You for being my refuge and consolation especially during times of trouble and tribulations Amen
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