“Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And my advocate is on high.” (16:19)

It’s beautiful that even in his situation, Job calls God his advocate. God knows he didn’t do something sinful to deserve this pain, He knows everything surrounding Job’s situation. This is interesting to contrast with what Satan is called: the accuser. 

Think about that for a moment. That doomed little punk is the one who accuses, and the Holy Creator of the Universe is the One who advocates. 

We can gossip, slander, speculate, deprecate and shame, or we can encourage, champion, forgive, honor and praise. For each other and for ourselves. The question is, who’s side of the courtroom do you want to be on?

Yes, the Holy Spirit brings conviction, but that must always be differentiated from condemnation. One “always protects”, as 1 Corinthians 13:7 would say, “always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”. And the other is ready to throw you away. 

No, we don’t deserve the loving grace and mercy of God, but that’s the point! He fights, and has fought, for us anyway. Our witness is in Heaven.

Whenever you feel like you’re in a sticky situation and people are getting judgy, remember who you want to stay right with. Whenever a friend is going through a trying time, encourage them! Keep your limited persepective as a witness out of the stands, and agree with the Advocate, who teaches us how to love. 

-Bethany