Job was a righteous man, perfect in all his ways. He shunned the very presence of evil, but it was during the highlight of his life that evil struck.

The Lord removed the hedge of protection from around Job and allowed the enemy to attack him.

When Satan struck, suddenly Job lost his children and all his wealth in one day.

Later he lost his health, and he was cast off to the ashes of despair.

It appeared as if God had forsaken Job. Even his wife seemed to desert him.

Job’s wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Obviously, Job reminded God of his life of integrity and uprightness, similar to King Hezekiah, with the expectation that God would deliver him as a result of his righteous lifestyle.

However, without seeing any signs of deliverance, Job rebuked his wife.

“You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)

Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing, but was determined to remain faithful to God in spite of his destitution.

While Job was in this low shameful state, three of his friends came to visit him.

They came to comfort him, but were shock when they saw his deplorable condition.

Job’s entire body was filled with putrefying boils and he sat pitifully in the ashes scraping his soars with a piece of pottery.

Is there any words that can comfort someone in this state, especially a person who was faithful to God all his life?

It was impossible!

So, the three friends tore their robes, sprinkled dust on their heads and sat in the ashes with Job for seven days and nights without saying a word.

Who is Your friend?

Is he the person to whom you share your dreams and secret thoughts?

Is your friend someone you can trust?

Who is your friend?

Is your friend your drinking partner who sits with you during the happy hours?

Can you find frienship among the people who follow your wealth and fame?

Who is your friend?

Health, wealth, and fame lack no friends.

They attract praise from countless fans.

But, are they your friends?

The prodigal son had many friends to help spend his wealth,

Wining and dining until it was all spent.

But, when hard times hit the friendship wane.

Penniless and homeless he became invisible to his friends.

“Who are you?” The friends asked.

Lonely, rejected and destitute, the prodigal was cast into the pig pen of shame.

Where are all his friends?

Surely they must see his plight.

But, who will care when you are down in the pit?

Where is the crowd?

Where are the followers?

Where are the friends?

Who will mourn your loss and share your pain?

Who will sit with you in the ashes of despair?