While preparing a sermon last week, I ran across a passage I know I’ve read hundreds of times. But this time, something hit me right between my eyes as if reading it for the first time. You know all about the life of Job. You know about his pain and loss. In one day, he lost all his possessions, including perhaps his most prized possessions, his ten children. In one day. If that wasn’t enough, satan comes at him again, and Job loses his health.
At the end of the book, we get to rejoice with Job because God restored all that he had lost, and gave him even more. In Job 42, after we learn of God's displeasure with Job’s friends, we read some remarkable words in verse 10. “The Lord also restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends…” What? After everything that Job had been through after his friends had chided him and blamed him for his pain, Job prayed for them. It doesn’t say he prayed for himself. It says he prayed for his friends!!
I don’t have to tell you that some moments in our lives can be extremely difficult. Maybe you are in the throws of one of those moments now. And, as you know, moments can turn into days, into weeks, into months, into years, and seasons. When we find ourselves struggling with life in those seasons, it is easy for us to focus on ourselves. When we do, it creates more pain, more heartache, and more questions about our work. We may think it would be easier to throw in the towel.
It might not always work, but it will certainly work sometimes. What if instead of focusing on ourselves, we focused on others? What if we made a prayer list and spent much time praying for friends, family, and even those who have wronged us? We’ve probably all preached about getting out of ourselves, thinking more of others than ourselves, and not making everything about us. If you are really struggling today, why not give it a try? Make a list, and pray for others. By the way, I would love to add you to my list today. How can I pray for you?
