Job 1:21 (ESV) – And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
I have always had something. Never nothing. I now have an abundance of blessings. I have experienced some challenges to be sure. But my challenges, as I consider them, pale with the challenges faced by so many in this world.
Job seemingly had everything. He had wealth, family, friends, respect, and servants. He gave glory to God. Yet, in the verses prior to the above verse I learn that God allowed Satan to take it all. Now it was all gone. Even his ten children were dead. The eyes of heaven were on Job. How would he respond?
If I put myself in Job’s place, how would I respond? I don’t know. That is a hard question.
For Job he made the statement of faith recorded in the above verse. Truly, Job was a righteous man. I learn that Job did not depend on things. He depended on God. As a result, even after learning that he had nothing, he still blessed the name of the Lord. Soon he lost more, to include his health. Still, he never cursed God. He didn’t understand, but he still trusted in God.
Job’s story really, deeply challenges me. When I have loss, I need to continue to trust God. I may not understand, but I still must trust. Job challenges me to know that life is temporary. My relationship with God is eternal. Loss, hurt, and pain are temporary. Naked I came, naked I shall return.
Prayer: Father in heaven. If I ever have nothing, I will still bless You. I may not like it. I may not understand. But I will still trust in You. I place my hope in You.
