The
Lord gave; the Lord has taken away;
blesséd be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21 )
A man's best
utterances often com in times of deep distress and trouble. So it was with Job: he had it all; then he lost it all: not
just the material things of this world, but also his family and health. I suppose that Job was as miserable as a man
can get. But in that hour, he declared
three of the basic truths of life which, if a person knows them and lives by
them, he is a wise person:
First, The LORD
gave: Whatever I have in possessions,
family, health - and certainly whatever I have in grace - is a gift of the
Lord. My home, pantry and automobile are
the Lord's gifts. My wife and children ‑
all from His bounty. My good health ‑ a
favored gift. So with faith,
righteousness, and eternal life.
Second, If I ever
lose these things, it is by the work of the same LORD. What He gives in spiritual matters is never
recalled, for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. But, concerning the things of my natural
life, let me remember that since they were given to me by God, He has the right
to recall them at any moment. And further, let me learn that if He recalls some
natural blessing, I may diminish the pain of the loss by realizing that the
taking away was accomplished by the same loving Father that gave, so it must be
for my good.
Third, whether giving or taking away, the LORD is blesséd. Let us not be like the pagans who judge the
value of their gods by their temporal happiness. Jehovah is worthy of worship at all times and
in all circumstances. He is as glorious
when I am sad as when I am happy. He is
as blesséd when I lose as when I gain.
Blesséd be the name of the LORD!
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