The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away…

Job 1:13 “One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,

15 and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house,

19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship

21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (NIV)

When terrible things happen to us it is so easy to get angry at God and say “How could you let this happen to me!?” I never thought about it as being a sin. Terrible things happen to people all the time. If we look at life through Eyes that are not our own and learn to give up the rights we think we deserve, then our response can be pure and blameless like Job’s. The only thing we’re guaranteed in life is that God will always be here for us.

Dear Lord, next time you take something away from me, instead of me being bitter help me to praise you and be grateful for the time you allowed me to have it.

Please take a moment to hear this story.

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