Lots of jokes about ‘good’ lawyers.  And pastors, too!  But not today.  Not in Job 16.  Have you read the chapter yet?  Don’t miss it!  Poor Job is having the worst time in his life.  Even his friends turn out to be ‘miserable comforters’!  ‘Will your long-winded speeches never end?  What ails you…'(Job 16: 2-3).  With all that’s happening to him, all the losses, the pain he suffers, the inevitable unanswered questions, yet at the end of chapter 16 he affirms his hope that he has an advocate(vs. 19-21).  What’s that?  Someone who intercedes for us.  Who helps us when we can barely help ourselves.  Like a good lawyer.  In this case, one who pleads with God on our behalf.

For believers, we know who that is– Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord!  As the Apostle Paul says, ‘Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us'(Romans 8:34).  Jesus… our advocate, our good lawyer.  Who speaks on our behalf with the Father.  He’s on our side.  Understands our plight in life.  Knows what to say when we can barely form the words in our mouths.  He says them for us.  He loves to help us.

There’s another precious word in this chapter of Job.  The very last word of verse 21(NIV):  ‘friend’.  What a wonderful word.  God is our friend.  Someone who sticks by us, even when every reason has been given to leave us in the lurch, telling us to ‘take a hike.’  He won’t do that.  Not ever.  When we turn our backs on Him, He doesn’t.  When the Lord seems far off, maybe it’s not God who’s walked away.  Shouldn’t we turn around and see that He’s right there next to us?  Those ‘footprints in the sand’.  His carrying us like a shepherd with a lamb on his shoulders.  Like a mother cradling a child in her arms.

Think about all that Jesus did for us–facing rejection, suffering on the cross, dying for those who could care less.  Jesus endured horrific loss.  Job did also.  But Jesus would do it all over again if need be.  He loves us that much.  He’s our friend.  A friend like no other.  As He said in John 15: 15–‘…I have called you friends…’

Thank you, Friend, thank you…

Prayer:  Dear Lord, for standing with us in life, we are so grateful.  We’re never alone, no matter what.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.