Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]. Amplified Bible (AMP)
You've probably used the statement "my heart goes out to you" when consoling a friend. It captures a part of what is being said in today's verse. It is being there for someone, trying to empathize what they are feeling and acknowledging their pain, grief or loss.
You've probably also said at some point "I am so happy for you" when hearing of the news of a positive diagnosis, a restored relationship, or perhaps a wedding. It is recognizing something joyous and joining in with the celebration.
When trying to console someone the book of Job offers plenty of things to consider. Jobs friends spent a week with him without saying a word. They were there for him. But something happened along the way, perhaps pride, and they started examining Job's life, finding fault and trying to find an explanation as to why things were as they were. In a sermon on today's passage, John Piper states, " The reason faith is the Christian alternative to empathy-killing pride is that faith is—is, this is the essence of faith, faith is—humbly resting in Christ. Faith is being self-forgettingly satisfied with Christ. Faith is turning from self to Christ as our all in all. So humility is not something merely added to faith—as fruit grown from faith—but humility is part of what faith is."
Faith involves finding hope while pride involves finding fault. May we be able to rejoice with friends when they have something to rejoice about. May our hearts go out to them, may we also be there for them, provide encouragement and hope for them when they need a friend. Don't be like Job's friends, those who pridefully thing that they "know it all" (NLT v.16 below).
Romans 12:14-16
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
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