In Job 11 his friend Zophar puts in his two cents. He tells Job that he is being foolish if he believes that he is blameless. God knows his heart and knows that he is sinful.  Zophar encourages Job to repent and God will look favorably on him.

You know, these words sound good, as does much of the friends counsel. The flow in their thinking is the basic belief that God is punishing Job. If Job were guilty then the counsel would be good. But Job maintains his innocence. It is difficult to address someone about bad things happening to good people. It is much easier to say that they must have done something wrong. The fact remains that bad things happen whether we are good or bad. Our counsel should be to remain faithful.

In Job 12, Job answers the latest counsel by stating that God is more powerful and wise than any human.  His ways are not our ways. He brings the powerful down. Job believes in the sovereignty of God, that God is in control. While we might not understand why God is doing something, we can be confident that God can do anything He wants to do.

In Luke 17 Jesus counsels the disciples. He encourages them not to be a stumbling block to others. They should point out sin but also offer forgiveness.  They should be humble servants not tyrannical overlords.

Jesus heals ten lepers by sending them to the priest. If you remember the priest is the only one who can declare a person clean. By the time they got to the priest they were healed. Only one Samaritan man returned to thank Jesus.

Do we expect God to do thing for us and so do not thank Him when he answers our prayers? How egotistical of us if we do not recognize God’s mercy toward us. We should never assume that God will give us anything. It is only by His grace that He blesses.

Jesus advises those listening to concentrate on spiritual things so they will be prepared for His coming again. Those who are more concerned with their own welfare rather than on being faithful followers will miss the boat.