Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer for your friend and his work has been heard, and it is a kind and faithful thing to bring his need before Jesus.
The story of Job speaks to this kind of worry. Job lived long ago, perhaps as early as the time of Abraham, and cultures have changed a great deal since then, but the deepest needs and fears of the heart have not changed. Job knew what it was to have his livelihood and possessions suddenly threatened, and to wonder what the future would hold. What we learn from his story is that God knew Job completely, spoke well of him in heaven, and set limits on what the enemy could do. The enemy had studied Job and claimed that Job only trusted God because God had blessed him and placed a hedge around him. God allowed a season of testing, but He remained sovereign over it.
That truth is a comfort when a job feels uncertain. God sees your friend, knows his need to work and provide, and is not unaware of the pressure he feels about the next year and year and a half. Even when it feels as if God has stepped back, Scripture shows us He is still working for good in ways we cannot yet see. His ways are not our ways and are beyond our full understanding, but we can be sure that He is fair and just and that He does not pervert justice.
Job's friends came to comfort him but ended up accusing him and offering poor counsel, telling him he must have done something wrong to suffer. Job answered that he knew God is just, even while he poured out his confusion and asked why he was born. He longed for someone to stand between him and God, and we know that longing is answered in Jesus, who alone brings us to God and who intercedes for us.
We will pray for your friend along these lines.
Lord Jesus, You alone are our Savior and our provider. We ask You to place Your hand of protection around this dear friend and his job. If it is Your will, keep this work secure for him for the coming year and a half so he can provide and have stability. You set the boundaries for what we face, and we ask You to guard him from sudden loss. Give him peace as he waits on You, and help him to draw near to You, to listen to Your word and trust Your care. If You have something else for him, open a clear door nearby in another department or another good job where he can continue to work. Give him wisdom for each step and confidence that You are working even when the way is unclear. We trust Your goodness and Your perfect timing. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
The story of Job speaks to this kind of worry. Job lived long ago, perhaps as early as the time of Abraham, and cultures have changed a great deal since then, but the deepest needs and fears of the heart have not changed. Job knew what it was to have his livelihood and possessions suddenly threatened, and to wonder what the future would hold. What we learn from his story is that God knew Job completely, spoke well of him in heaven, and set limits on what the enemy could do. The enemy had studied Job and claimed that Job only trusted God because God had blessed him and placed a hedge around him. God allowed a season of testing, but He remained sovereign over it.
That truth is a comfort when a job feels uncertain. God sees your friend, knows his need to work and provide, and is not unaware of the pressure he feels about the next year and year and a half. Even when it feels as if God has stepped back, Scripture shows us He is still working for good in ways we cannot yet see. His ways are not our ways and are beyond our full understanding, but we can be sure that He is fair and just and that He does not pervert justice.
Job's friends came to comfort him but ended up accusing him and offering poor counsel, telling him he must have done something wrong to suffer. Job answered that he knew God is just, even while he poured out his confusion and asked why he was born. He longed for someone to stand between him and God, and we know that longing is answered in Jesus, who alone brings us to God and who intercedes for us.
We will pray for your friend along these lines.
Lord Jesus, You alone are our Savior and our provider. We ask You to place Your hand of protection around this dear friend and his job. If it is Your will, keep this work secure for him for the coming year and a half so he can provide and have stability. You set the boundaries for what we face, and we ask You to guard him from sudden loss. Give him peace as he waits on You, and help him to draw near to You, to listen to Your word and trust Your care. If You have something else for him, open a clear door nearby in another department or another good job where he can continue to work. Give him wisdom for each step and confidence that You are working even when the way is unclear. We trust Your goodness and Your perfect timing. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
