Without hope is life purposeless? Do we mourn with the suffering or ignore them? Let’s begin in Job 7.
How does Job describe the days of his suffering to his friends?
Men have harsh servitude on earth, do they not? His days are like those of a hired laborer, are they not? I’m like a servant who longs for the shade, like a hired laborer who is looking for his wages. Truly I’ve been allotted months of emptiness; nights of trouble have been appointed for me. When I lie down I ask, ‘When will I wake up?’ But the night continues and I keep tossing and turning until dawn. My skin is covered with worms and clods of dirt; my skin becomes rough and then breaks out afresh. (Job 7:1-5 ISV)
Does life sometimes seem to vanish fast and purposeless, like a weaver’s shuttle without thread, without hope?
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. (Job 7:6-10 KJV)
Do we allow those in distress to speak or guard against even hearing them?
Indeed I will not hold back my mouth; I will speak in the distress of my spirit; I will muse on the bitterness of my soul. Am I the sea or the sea monster, That You set a guard over me? If I say, ‘My bed will comfort me; My couch will ease my bitter musing,’ Then You frighten me with dreams And terrify me by visions, So that my soul would choose suffocation, Death rather than my pains. I have rejected everything; I will not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath. (Job 7:11-16 LSB)
Does Job pray honestly and bluntly to God about his despair?
What is man that You exalt him, And that You are concerned about him, That You examine him every morning And put him to the test every moment? Will You never turn Your gaze away from me, Nor leave me alone until I swallow my spittle? Have I sinned? What have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, So that I am a burden to myself [You]? Why then do You not forgive my wrongdoing And take away my guilt? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will search for me, but I will no longer exist.” (Job 7:17-21 NASB)
Does Paul encourage us to accuse those who mourn or mourn with them?
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Rom 12:15 NIV)
Without hope is life purposeless? Do we mourn with the suffering or ignore them? You decide!
