Helping the Helper
Job 29:25
"I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners."
When Job was going through the roughest time of his life, you would think that those whom he helped would be there to help him. However, when you read Job 29, you find that Job comments about those whom he helped. My question is this, where are those whom he helped? Where are those whom he helped who could not see the way? Where are the poor to whom he gave in their time of need? Where are those whom he protected from evil? It's sad to think that Job helped many people in his lifetime, and yet when he was going through the biggest struggles of his life, no one was there to comfort and help him.
Job's story reminds me of another story, and that is the story of our Saviour. Mark 14:50 says, "And they all forsook him, and fled." Jesus spent His life helping others. Yet, at the time when He needed people the most, they forsook Him and fled. Where were those to whom He gave sight? Where were those whom He helped to walk again? Where were those whom He raised the dead? Where were those whom He taught from the Scriptures and helped their lives? Where were those whose lives were a wreck when His words turned their life around? Where were the disciples of Jesus who followed Him for three years, whom He helped with whatever problem they had? Where were those whose lives were literally changed by the words that He spoke? Where were they?
What is sad about these two stories is that both Jesus and Job helped people in their lifetime, and yet in their greatest time of need no one was there to help and encourage them. Why were they not there? The Scriptures do not tell us why, but I have a feeling I know why they were not there. Some weren't there because it was inconvenient. Some were not there because they were too busy. Some were not there because they were ungrateful. Some were not there because it would hurt their reputation with others. I don't know why they were not there, I just know that nobody was there in their time of need.
Christian, have you ever wondered where those whom you tried to help are when you are going through your greatest time of need? Let me encourage you that God takes record of everything that you do. You may think that no one is there to help you when you are facing your greatest need, but I can assure you that Christ will be there for you, for He promises to never leave you. God takes record of all that we do, and He will reward you in due time.
Furthermore, don't be guilty of not being there for those who've helped you. Don't be guilty of getting so wrapped up in your life that when others are going through rough times you are not there to help them. One of the greatest needs in Christianity is for God's people to learn to forget about themselves and care for the needs of others. If you want people to be there for you when you are going through rough times, then you better be there for them when they go through rough times.
Life is not about you and what you get, life is about helping others. Joy does not come by others helping you, but joy comes by you helping others. Yes, you will be inconvenienced when you have to help others. Yes, you will have to take time away from your busy schedule to help others. Yes, there may be times when you help others whom you will be criticized for standing with in their greatest time of need. However, you will find the reward is great when you help others. You will find that the fulfillment from helping others is far beyond what words can express. Be sure in your life to help others in their time of need. Also, be sure to be a help to your helper.