Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.
-Job 2:13
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it. Friends sit with friends in grief. They share in each other's pain. No words, no advice, nothing, simply sitting with their friend in grief. I will never forget the day Brian told me she was engaged. I will never forget how he and Alan wouldn't let me go. How they simply sat with me sharing in my pain the whole day.
When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept.
-John 11:32-35
Mary instantly blamed You for her brother's death. How quickly I've raged and blamed You for my suffering. If only You had... I'm sure You know the exact number of prayers I'd had with You that start like that. You didn't defend Yourself. You didn't correct her. You didn't explain the mysteries of the world. You simply sat and wept with them in their pain. You shared in their suffering.
Jesus, You share in my suffering. Jesus You're more than a friend. Abba I know You are near me every time a painful memory floods back in to my mind. Jesus my pain creates a deep anger within You and it deeply troubles You. I know You hate to see Your child in pain. Thank You for being such a loving God. Thank You for sitting with me all of those mornings. I praise You for Your faithfulness.
A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.
-Luke 7:12-13
God You are good. How can people say any different? Your heart breaks for Your suffering children. Your heart overflows with compassion. Thank You for simply sitting with me as I go through this wilderness season. Thank You for shedding tears with me as this wound bleeds. You are good Abba.
How He Loves - John Mark McMillan
And you met me between my breaking
I know that I still love you God
Despite the agony
See people they want to tell me your cruel
But if Stephen could sing
He'd say its not true
Cause your good