Solace
I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.
Job 16:4-5
+
Solace
The old saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is quite fitting for Job in these verses. Job longs for a kind and caring word form his friends, yet they are not to be found. Job responds by saying if the roles were reversed then Job would offer these kind word to his friends. He understands when the Law is needed and when the Gospel is needed. In Job’s suffering and misery, he needs to hear God’s Word of comfort for him. He does not need the accusing barbs which are hurled his way. So it is for us as well. When in true affliction and torment from the devil, we need to hear God’s Word of love and mercy. We need to know God has not abandoned us or forsaken us. This is the gift of the Gospel. This is what Christ offers us through His death and resurrection. We need the solace of our Savior’s lips to usage our pain. And so we have it in His Gospel, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33).
Job 16:4-5
+
Solace
The old saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is quite fitting for Job in these verses. Job longs for a kind and caring word form his friends, yet they are not to be found. Job responds by saying if the roles were reversed then Job would offer these kind word to his friends. He understands when the Law is needed and when the Gospel is needed. In Job’s suffering and misery, he needs to hear God’s Word of comfort for him. He does not need the accusing barbs which are hurled his way. So it is for us as well. When in true affliction and torment from the devil, we need to hear God’s Word of love and mercy. We need to know God has not abandoned us or forsaken us. This is the gift of the Gospel. This is what Christ offers us through His death and resurrection. We need the solace of our Savior’s lips to usage our pain. And so we have it in His Gospel, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33).
Recent
Archive
2022
January
In One SpiritHe is ComingA Light for the NationsDepart in PeaceThe BenedictionWise Men SeeTrusting in the EmptinessWilted BlossomsConceiving TroubleWhat Comfort?SolaceWorn OutTorn With WrathLike a WarriorA Pure PrayerHeavenly WitnessA Ready GraveA Pledge for YouA Byword of the PeoplesHold OnNight into DayWhere is My Hope?Into the DustHunting for WordsOur Own FlameCaught in a TrapDeath ConsumesTo Know GodMy ErrorsNo JusticeHe Has Taken the Crown
February
No AnswerForsakenRock BottomRedemption!The Root of the MatterDo You Not Know?Fly AwayBittersweetUpon the RiversConstant CravingsBurning AngerEnduring WitnessesGod’s PortionKeep ListeningThe Rod of GodIs Not Their Prosperity in Their Hand?The Lamp of the WickedEqualizationThe House of the PrinceEmpty NothingsProfitable to GodOutward AppearancesWater Covers YouWhat Does God Know?Foundations Washed AwayConsumed by the FireGold and SilverLife Up Your Face to God
March
He Saves the LowlyBitter ComplaintsOur CaseIn the Greatness of His PowerFaithful EyesUnchangeableNo Fear of the DarknessTimes of JudgementGleaning the VineyardThe Soul of the WoundedRebelling Against the LightMorningBroken TreesBrought Low and Gathered UpPeace in the High HeavensA Dimming MoonEnough!Sheol and AbaddonThe Boundary Between Light and DarknessFleeing SerpentMy Bitter SoulAltogether VainDust and SilverReaping the WhirlwindAn End to DarknessThe Hidden ThingsTrue WisdomThe Place of UnderstandingBehold, the Fear of the LordDays Gone ByTo Be Called Blessed