❖ Video
https://youtu.be/2ZE_kqc7RXs
❖ Audio (Message)
To You Who Have Been Encouraging Others
(Job 4:3-6)
Jalee Bae
3 Think how you have instructed many,
how you have strengthened feeble hands.
4 Your words have supported those who stumbled;
you have strengthened faltering knees.
5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;
it strikes you, and you are dismayed.
6 Should not your piety be your confidence
and your blameless ways your hope?
Have you ever encouraged or supported someone before?
When a friend is feeling down, you may have listened quietly and said, “You’ll be okay.” We are capable of supporting others. However, when we ourselves are going through a difficult time, it can be very difficult to encourage ourselves. Some of you may have had this experience.
One person said, “When my friends are having a hard time, I can answer their calls even in the middle of the night and listen to them, and tell them, ‘It’ll be okay.’ But when I’m feeling down, I can’t tell anyone, and I can’t even get out of bed.” When I heard those words, I thought, “Ah, that’s the weakness of us humans.” At the same time, I felt that that is where the meaning of faith lies.
The book of Job, chapter 4, records the words of Job’s friend Eliphaz. Job was struck by unbearable suffering, losing his wealth, family, and health all at once. Eliphaz was the first to speak to Job. As we read earlier in Job 4:3-5, it says,
3 Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.
I myself have been physically and mentally exhausted, crying alone without being able to tell anyone. At that time, a young colleague came up to me and said, “It’s hard, it’s hard, isn’t it?” Then she pulled my hand and stood me in front of the mirror in the restroom. She continued, “Jay-chan, you encourage many people. You comfort them. You cook plenty of meals and support everyone. You’re really doing a great job. God must be saying the same thing. So, place your hand on your head and tell yourself, ‘Well done, well done.’” Though I was hesitant, I tried it, and strangely enough, my strength began to return little by little.
Although we can encourage others, we sometimes blame ourselves or lose our faith. Job had lived a righteous life, yet suddenly lost all his possessions, his family, and his health. While he was suffering without knowing the reason, his friend Eliphaz spoke to him as follows.
“You have advised many people. But when you suffer, you can’t bear it?”
At first glance, these words seem true, but they weigh heavily on those who are suffering. Even believers have moments when their spirits are broken. Even when we believe, there are times when we cry and cannot get back up. But God is there for us in those moments, quietly telling us, “You are doing well.”
Some of you may have listened intently to someone else’s story. Just by being there, that person’s life can change. Have you ever witnessed such a moment?
Job 4:4 says, “Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.” These words are not something that only special people can say. You don’t have to say anything extraordinary. It is simply a gentle word offered to those who are unable to stand up. It is a warm word spoken to those whose hearts are broken and whose legs are weak. That is what words of comfort are.
I also had a similar experience when I used to live in Saitama. One day, the president of the company where I was working part-time suddenly told me about her family problems.
“My family is broken, and I just can’t forgive my mother. My brother lives next door, and I live nearby, but no one visits her. But I have a favor to ask of you, Jay-chan. Please go see my mother and listen to her.” I was surprised by the sudden request, but for some reason I answered, “Yes.” From then on, for about five years, I visited her mother’s house after finishing my studies at night, read the Bible, talked about Jesus, cooked meals, ate together, and listened to her stories. I gradually built up those moments over time.
Then one day, something strange happened. The president’s older brother, who lived next door, saw me and was moved by the fact that I was doing something that they themselves had been unable to do. He told his sister, the president, about this. Eventually, the two of them began to face the hatred they had harbored in their hearts for many years. Finally, they began to visit their mother on their own. Slowly but surely, reconciliation began. And eventually, the whole family started coming to church.
I didn’t do anything special. I just stayed by their side, talked about the Bible, cooked meals, ate together, and listened to their stories. But those small moments became a big step toward mending a broken family. “Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.” I think that’s exactly what it means.
God uses each and every one of us as “vessels of encouragement.” No special qualifications or great power are necessary. All that is required is to be there for others with the love of the Lord, to listen, and to be present. This gradually melts and transforms people’s hearts. At times, it can reconnect families and become a force that moves lives forward. However, even when we are able to encourage others, there are times when we ourselves become discouraged when we are in pain. There may be times when our faith wavers and we are unable to pray.
That is why I want to reread it again today. “But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.” (v.5)
When Eliphaz said this, he probably meant to say, “If you have faith, you shouldn’t be so upset. You have encouraged others, but when you face trials yourself, you can’t endure them.” At first glance, this seems like a valid point. However, for someone who is suffering, these words are too harsh and cold.
Having faith does not mean that you can always be positive. You may be able to listen to someone else’s story, but when you are suffering yourself, you cannot find the words to speak. Your faith wavers. You even lose the energy to pray. You may appear strong in front of others, but when your heart is breaking, there is nothing you can do. I’m sure there are many people who have felt disappointed in themselves in such situations.
However, when a small child falls down and cries, parents do not say, “Why are you crying? Stop crying!” Instead, they gently pick up the child, say, “That must have hurt, but it’s okay,” and help the child walk again.
The same is true of God. Even when we suffer, cannot endure, and our faith wavers, God does not immediately blame us. Rather, God stays by our side in our pain and quietly says, “You are doing well.”
Job also faced trials that he could not overcome on his own. However, God did not abandon him. In the depths of despair, Job eventually came to understand deeply how God would deal with him.
So it’s okay. Please don’t blame yourself too much. It is by acknowledging that “I am weak” that a true relationship of trust with God begins. And it is precisely those who have had such experiences who can understand the pain of others more deeply and encourage them more gently.
Through the miracle of reconciliation that occurred in that family, I was taught that faith is not about possessing “special powers,” but rather about simply being there for others with the love of the Lord. Just as Jesus did for each one of us. For us sinners, the Lord Jesus continues to be with us, forgiving our sins and encouraging us even today. Small acts of love can move hearts, reconnect families, and transform lives. In this way, each of us is called to be a “vessel of encouragement” for God. However, even if we have experienced encouraging others, there are times when we feel discouraged when we ourselves are going through difficult times. There may be times when our faith wavers and we find it hard to pray.
So let us pray like this: “God, there are times when I am weak and cannot stand on my own. But I believe that you will not abandon me, even when I am like this, and that you will stay by my side. Please make me a person who can quietly stay by the side of those who stumble.”
However, Eliphaz asked Job, “Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?” (v.6)
This carries the implication of “Was your faith not genuine?” But what do you think? For example, if someone who has always taken care of their health suddenly falls ill, and is then asked, “Didn’t you rely on your health? What happened?” how would they feel? Sadness and regret would well up inside them. It’s not that what they believed in was meaningless. It’s just that sometimes things don’t go as planned. That’s reality, and it’s also part of the journey of a believer.
We too sometimes say, “If we believe in God, everything will be fine.” But when trials actually come, our faith wavers. Doubts arise. And we may even blame ourselves.
However, the fact that our faith wavers in the midst of suffering is itself a testimony of our faith. What is important is not to remain unshaken, but to continue to turn toward God even while we waver.
On a windy day, even trees with large branches swaying in the wind will not fall if their roots are firmly planted. It is natural for our emotions to sway. However, if our roots are firmly planted in God, we will not fall.
Job was also shaken violently. He did not understand what was happening to him, so he questioned, lamented, and cried out. However, his heart was still turned toward God. That is why God did not abandon him.
What I want to say today is that “faith is not about being unshakable, but about relying on God even when we are shaken.” Even if our hearts are shaken right now, it’s okay. God knows the depths of our hearts. He is not someone who would reproach us, saying, “Didn’t you place your hope in God? Then you should still do so now, right?”
Rather, the Lord says, “Even if your desire weakens, I remember you. I know the day you believed in me and the night you wished to return to me.” The Lord is with you when you cry and when you suffer.
So don’t blame yourself too much. Bring your wavering heart to the Lord Jesus. From there, the light of hope will shine again.
“God is with you.” Please repeat these words to yourself.
Our lives are free, but they are also times when we struggle with loneliness, anxiety, and pressure. Our hearts are shaken by various things, such as the future, relationships, and our own value. On social media, we see other people enjoying themselves. But is it okay for me to stay as I am? When our efforts don’t produce results, our confidence quickly crumbles.
That is why you should speak words of faith to yourself.
“God is with us.”
“Pray and the way will be opened.”
“Let’s move forward trusting in the Lord.”
Don’t just say these words to others, but also repeat them to yourself. “It’s okay. God is with you. He has been with you in the past, and He will be with you in the future.”
Your words of encouragement will eventually become words of encouragement for yourself. And that faith will guide you to the next step. The Lord is speaking to us now, saying, “Your faith is your certainty.”
To those who have encouraged others, now God is encouraging you. God is still with you. So take courage and walk forward.
(Prayer) Heavenly Father God, You know our weaknesses. Even when our hearts are troubled, when our tears won’t stop, when it’s hard to believe, we thank you for your grace in not abandoning us and staying by our side.
Lord, there are times when we blame ourselves for our lack of faith and stand helplessly, unable to meet the expectations of others or fulfill our own desires. But you quietly speak to us, saying, “It’s okay. I am with you.”
Please make your unchanging love take deep root in our wavering hearts. Allow us to quietly stand by our friends who are suffering. And give us the courage to speak your words to ourselves.
“God is with us.” May that sure hope guide our every step. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.