Have you ever been misunderstood? It's one of the worst feelings there is. There you were doing your job/being diligent/doing the best you could and someone says something or does something that implies you're a slacker/disorganised or simply not good enough.
When we make mistakes it's bad enough. But when we haven't made any mistakes but other people think we have, that's a really difficult feeling to handle.
Job is in exactly that place. He doesn't think he's done anything to deserve what's happened to him and the truth is he hasn't: Job knows it, God knows it but Job's friends think Job must be a secret sinner and somehow is only getting what he deserves.
So in Job 9:33, he sighs
''Would that there were an umpire between us, who might lay his hand on us both'
So again, I took my pencil out and wrote in the margin 'There will be Job, there will be'.
The New Testament tells us we do have an 'advocate' the word for one who is on our side, the Holy Spirit. The Book of Hebrews also reassures us that in the Living Lord Jesus, in the throne room of Heaven we have a 'high priest'
'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need'
Hebrews 4:15-16
Unlike Job you can be sure of a mediator, an 'umpire', an advocate. Someone who knows you completely, who understands you even if others misunderstand you and you can be sure of a welcome into his presence.
Stop and thank God now that you are received with love.
Sheila Bridge
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