“…because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.” NIV (Job 29:12-13)

The man job knew how important to keep a balance in his life. On one hand, he vehemently expressed his displeasure against those who cheated and oppressed the needy. He used an occasion to talk to God about the matter, wondering if God would respond to his cry for justice (Job 24; Proverbs 21:13). And yes, God follows such issues very closely and we can only do likewise (proverbs 14:31; 19:13, Psalms 82:3). But not only did Job petition the cause of the troubled, he also actively expressed a genuine outpouring of himself to relief the poor of their needs.

The recount of Job reveals some interesting thoughts. Getting to the latter part of his triumph in his terrible test, these were Job’s words:

“When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square, the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet; the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands; the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me because I rescued the poor who cried for help and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.”

In spite of the fame of Job coupled with his societal influence, he carried out these good deeds with all humility. It was something that became a part of him. We too can learn such a quality of remembering the needy in our good times. Our good time may be a place of authority, assess to some privileges, some rare eminence, financial soundness, good health, having more than enough of basic needs of life, physical strength, astuteness, skillfulness in some field etc.

We can also be active in showing compassion even if we ourselves need it too. That was the attitude of Job. When we are in need, another’s need may even be much pressing and we gain so great a reward for such sacrifice; esteeming others better and putting them first (Philippians 2:3). That is what Jesus recommended when the widow gave all she had, even in her poverty (Luke 21:1-4) and her name still lives on.

May we launch out towards such unusual acts of kindness and compassion and we shall be remembered for it to the glory of God. Help somebody today.

What job stood against! || More