The Old Testament book of Job records the historical narrative of a man of God who lost nearly everything in one day. Job not only survived the ordeal but maintained his spiritual equilibrium as well. Like Paul, he kept the faith!
Job’s secret of success is found in his initial statement made in Job 1:21. Upon learning of the tragedy that took his earthly possessions and family, Job worshipped God saying,“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
From Job 1:20-22 we learn how to respond as people of faith when God takes away.
1) Keep the right perspective
Job recognized the fact that he entered the world with nothing, and he would leave the world with nothing. Everything we have in this life is on loan from God. Whatever you have, the Lord gave it to you. Furthermore, His gifts are given for a season. Maintaining the right perspective sustains us through times of loss. It reminds me that whatever it was I lost, it wasn’t mine in the first place. It all belongs to God. It was His to give, and it was His to take.
2) Continue to praise the Lord
That’s what Job did. No matter what happens, there are two facts you can always hold on to. Fact #1 – God is good! Even when circumstances argue to the contrary, remember that God is good. Fact #2 – God works all things for our good! That truth is easy to remember when God gives; it’s vitally important to remember when God takes away. Romans 8:28 reminds us that even in the down moments of life God is working all things for our ultimate good.
3) Don’t ever blame God
Job 1:22 tells us that Job resisted the temptation to get mad and blame God. Sadly, Job’s wife fell into the blame-game trap. We forget that she suffered the loss right along with her husband. While Job determined to trust God in his pain, his wife decided to blame God. The blame quickly turned to bitterness and she told Job, “Curse God and die!”
Sometimes God gives. Sometimes He takes away. In both times He is the same God who loves you with an everlasting love and has your ultimate good at heart. Like Job, keep the right perspective. Continue to praise Him. Trust Him at all times, and He will bring you through!
Pastor Todd Weston
Job’s secret of success is found in his initial statement made in Job 1:21. Upon learning of the tragedy that took his earthly possessions and family, Job worshipped God saying,“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
From Job 1:20-22 we learn how to respond as people of faith when God takes away.
1) Keep the right perspective
Job recognized the fact that he entered the world with nothing, and he would leave the world with nothing. Everything we have in this life is on loan from God. Whatever you have, the Lord gave it to you. Furthermore, His gifts are given for a season. Maintaining the right perspective sustains us through times of loss. It reminds me that whatever it was I lost, it wasn’t mine in the first place. It all belongs to God. It was His to give, and it was His to take.
2) Continue to praise the Lord
That’s what Job did. No matter what happens, there are two facts you can always hold on to. Fact #1 – God is good! Even when circumstances argue to the contrary, remember that God is good. Fact #2 – God works all things for our good! That truth is easy to remember when God gives; it’s vitally important to remember when God takes away. Romans 8:28 reminds us that even in the down moments of life God is working all things for our ultimate good.
3) Don’t ever blame God
Job 1:22 tells us that Job resisted the temptation to get mad and blame God. Sadly, Job’s wife fell into the blame-game trap. We forget that she suffered the loss right along with her husband. While Job determined to trust God in his pain, his wife decided to blame God. The blame quickly turned to bitterness and she told Job, “Curse God and die!”
Sometimes God gives. Sometimes He takes away. In both times He is the same God who loves you with an everlasting love and has your ultimate good at heart. Like Job, keep the right perspective. Continue to praise Him. Trust Him at all times, and He will bring you through!
Pastor Todd Weston
