But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Galatians 5:22.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6.

Can we imagine the love of God? Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-36. He had compassion for them. He knew what they were, what we are…and He has compassion. He didn’t hate them or us because of our sins, our actions that cause great harm to ourselves and others. Can we grasp that? I was trying to pray this morning after reading our chapter, Job 11, and my devotionals; and I saw plainly in my mind a public figure in our state who was on the news last night and I felt anger and disdain for that man who I have never met. How can we conceive of the love God has for all of us when we can’t love our fellow human beings? I kept “seeing” that man and knowing – God loves that man. I don’t. I can’t trust myself but I can trust God and that brings me His peace. He reminds me to stop judging. Trust Him.

I felt like Job’s friend this morning who spoke harshly to Job as I sat in judgment for that man on the news. In all honesty, after reading Job’s previous comments to his friends, I have to admit I would have been right there agreeing with them. Judging, condemning a man who is in pain so I can feel better about my “righteous” self. I kept thinking about the fruit of the Spirit Who responds with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control…but it wasn’t me thinking about those wonderful qualities of God for us, it was God reminding me.

So, Zophar the Naamathite begins to talk. Will no one rebuke you when you mock…How I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you…Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin…v. 3, 5, 6. And then…Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. v. 13-16. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. v. 18. If you devote your heart to him…you will be secure because there is hope…Those are the words that resonate with me. Job was/is secure in God’s love and I don’t think Job would so easily forget the troubles he has experienced…and God has forgiven us our sins. Who can understand the love of God? Can we admit we don’t have that kind of love and that that Love is exactly what is needed in this world? Free of fault we will lift up our face? Really? I can’t lift up my face when I sit in judgment of others. I can lift up my heart when I turn to God. Trusting Him who Loves brings me peace and hope for all of us. There are so many lessons we can learn in Job because the Book of Job is like a mirror reflecting our hearts and minds in need of God’s truth and Love.