THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERCESSION

"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." - Job 42:10

The book of Job reminds us that there is more to our suffering than meets the eye.  Like Job, we tend to have a superficial view of our struggles.  There is much more that is going on behind the scenes than we can perceive. 

Job was an outstanding man in his day.  God and men respected Job.  Even the devil took notice of Job.  Yet when the devil was permitted to afflict Job, no one, including his friends, supported Job.  His friends were "fair weather" friends.  Job's wife wasn't much help to him either.  Job suffered alone.  To make things worse, Job couldn't seem to reach God with his prayers. 

Despite the fact that Job couldn't seem to feel the presence of God, the Lord still was in control.  Often when we need God the most, we feel His presence the least.  Like Job, we often let our feelings overrun our faith.  Whether you feel God's presence or not, He is near.  Whether you understand His purpose or not, He is still Lord of all --- including your situation.

Job's friends continually badgered Job with accusations.  His friends are like many judgmental church members.  They are experts at others flaws but blind to their own.  Even worse, his friends accused him falsely.

When God made His presence known, Job's friends were put to shame.  They were told to bring offer sacrifices for their sin.  Furthermore, God instructed them to go to Job and have Job pray for them.

It is easy to allow selfishness to consume your prayer life.  It is not wrong to pray for yourself, but if you are a follower of Jesus, you also need to pray for others.  There are many who need your prayers.

Praying for friends shouldn't be difficult, but if your friends turned against you like Job's friends did, interceding for them would be tough.

Note two things about Job's intercession.

1.  THE LORD COMMANDED IT

First of all, God commanded Job to pray for his friends.  Despite their heartless treatment of Job, he was still expected to pray for them.

Jesus has instructed His followers to pray for their enemies.  As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to pray for those who treat us badly.  It isn't easy to obey that command.  In fact, it takes the indwelling Christ to accomplish this. 

Who needs our prayers more than those who mistreat us?  Those who deserve our prayers the least need them the most. 

2.  THE LORD REWARDED IT

Secondly, God rewarded Job for his obedience.  Notice two ways the Lord rewarded Job.  First, Job experienced a breakthrough:  "... the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends..."  Do you need a spiritual breakthrough?  Do you need God to turn around a situation?  Perhaps the answer is found in praying for others.  When you turn selflessly to intercede or assist someone else, God tends to do something in your own heart.

Also, God blessed Job.  "... also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."  God gave these things to Job --- not because of Job's worthiness --- but because of God's incredible love and grace.

When you intercede for others, it is wrong to assume that God will respond exactly as He did to Job.  For one thing, you've never gone through the trials that Job did.  Secondly, don't expect God to keep promises He didn't make.  He never promised Job that He'd turn his situation around, but God did so anyway.  Thankfully, there are times God breaks through a situation, even though a specific promise was not given for that situation.

Here's what we do know.  God does reward those who pray (see Matthew 6:6). How and when He rewards us is up to Him.  I believe that most of our rewards will be granted in heaven --- which will be far better, because those rewards are eternal. 

Job prayed specifically for those who mistreated him.  You and I should do the same.