My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God. (Job 16:20)
Isn't it nice to know when someone has your best interests at heart? We have parents who try to teach us right from wrong and what good behavior is. Teachers build our knowledge, friends encourage us, and mentors guide us. We have governments that do their best to ensure we have peace and security within our borders. Perhaps even when they do not intend to, they still act in our best interest.
Job had human friends who were trying to convince him to turn away from God. They repeatedly encouraged him to let go of his faith and succumb to the troubles in his life. They did not seem to have his best interests in mind. With friends like that there would be no faith, no hope or purpose left in the world.
The divine friend Job speaks of in this verse is a friend to everyone. He is none other than God himself. He is our heavenly Father, our friend, mentor, leader and more. Who better to have our best interest? His great wisdom leads us through the difficulties of life, not away from them or around them.
Each of us has been given an opportunity to invite Jesus, the Son of God, to be our Redeemer and best friend. Then we can call on our best friend to look after our interests.
Make Jesus your best friend.
Randall A. Forbes is an artist, retired minister, and plant operations director at Kingswood University, as well as a follower of Christ and lover of life.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
