Friends, strength and hard times

Today: Job 5-7

One year ago today was one of the weirdest, most awful days I can remember. April 15, 2009 has branded its mark on my life and the lives of about 900 other people. It changed us.

I think Job went through a time far worse than what I faced. As we saw in yesterday's passage, all of his children died, he lost his income and he broke out in very painful sores from head to toe. And to top it off, most of Job's friends were completely unhelpful. Take a look at what Job said here:

...you, my so-called friends, are no better—

there's nothing to you!

One look at a hard scene and you shrink in fear.

It's not as though I asked you for anything—

I didn't ask you for one red cent—

Nor did I beg you to go out on a limb for me.

So why all this dodging and shuffling?...

Are people mere things to you?

Are friends just items of profit and loss?

Ouch.

It would be easy for me to rant about the evil of these kinds of friends--the fair weather friends who are absent or even critical during hard times. But how many times have I not made a phone call, set up time for coffee or visited someone else in trouble...simply because it wasn't convenient for me?

Hard times are uncomfortable. And rather than face that discomfort with a friend, many people just avoid tough situations (and the people in them) altogether. Sometimes your friends don't even need you to say or buy anything--they just need you to be there.

Though I am far from a perfect friend, I am continually amazed and thankful for the incredible friends in my life. Tonight some of these incredible friends met to celebrate the end of a life-altering year--and the fact that we're still friends who not only survived, but grew stronger. Through our hard times, we laughed, called, prayed and encouraged one another. That's what friends do.

Tomorrow: Job 8-10

When God's got your back

Today: Joshua 9-11

How do you know you have a true friend?

It's not always obvious. But I think a true friend makes you laugh. True friends listen. They give you the advice you need to hear (even when it might not be the advice you want to hear). A true friend will help you move. If they're capable, they might help you put together IKEA furniture or paint. A true friend will pray with you and for you. If you need something...from a good hair stylist to a new job...a true friend will try to connect you to a solution. A true friend will encourage you. And a true friend has your back.

Don't you love it when you know someone has your back? What if that someone was God Himself?

Today's chapters described many (sometimes gory!) battles and regions that God's people conquered...only with His help. It's interesting to read about God's role in the process. Take a look:

God threw them into total confusion before Israel,
a major victory at Gibeon.
Israel chased them along the ridge to Beth Horon
and fought them all the way down to Azekah and Makkedah.
As they ran from the People of Israel, down from the Beth Horon ridge
and all the way to Azekah,
God pitched huge stones on them out of the sky and many died.
More died from the hailstones than the People of Israel killed with the sword.
The day God gave the Amorites up to Israel,
Joshua spoke to God, with all Israel listening:
"Stop, Sun, over Gibeon;
Halt, Moon, over Aijalon Valley."
And Sun stopped,
Moon stood stock still
Until he defeated his enemies... The sun stopped in its tracks in mid sky; just sat there all day.
There's never been a day like that before or since—
God took orders from a human voice!
Truly, God fought for Israel.

This passage sounds a bit brutal, but I think the premise that "God fought for Israel" is interesting. He didn't just leave His people on their own to fight in the middle of a desert. No--He actively participated in helping them along the way. He intervened and miraculously helped them defeat their enemies.

You and I may never be called by God to fight a real war, but every day we face our own battles. Maybe you're fighting against sin or fear. Perhaps you're fighting to find a new job. You might be having a tough time finishing your education. You may just have to fight temptation or apathy to keep your marriage strong.

Whatever you're fighting, don't fight alone--you don't have to. God can and will fight with you against things that are evil and/or against His will for your life. He wants you to win. So go ahead and ask for some help!

Tomorrow: Joshua 12-15