The Lord gives and the Lord takes away... Job

I opened my bible in a weird way today, just sat down at the computer and literally turned open my bible to the first page of Job. I had no idea what I was going to write about today, but then I began to read and really study Job. Here was this guy who the bible says was blameless and upright, fearing God and turning from evil. I mean he wasn't perfect or without sin but he was a man of integrity. Job was faithful and lived a constant God honoring life in every area. Job was wealthy in that he had everything he could want or need. He had a beautiful wife, livestock, servants, sons and daughters. We know that the Lord saw how faithful Job was and that's why he allowed Satan to tempt him. Satan told God that sure its easy to have this man praise you when you bless the work of his hands. He has it all of course he loves you. So all in one day, within a matter of minutes Job found out that he had lost it all. He lost his livestock, servants, sons and daughters! I know it was within minutes because the bible says that before each messenger was done delivering the bad news the next messenger had come. The very first thing that Job did was fall down on his knees and worship the Lord saying "The Lord gave and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord".

Jobs first priority in his life was his God and honoring and serving him. God really blessed him. Even when the Lord took away everything that was important to Job he still knew that God was his main purpose. His wife even asked him after Satan attacked his health if he was still a man of integrity and faith. Job responded by saying should we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity. Job's health was attacked. He suffered from everything from boils from head to toe, hallucinations, decaying skin, teeth falling out, raging fevers, and dramatic weight loss.

In chapter 40 God questions Job to humble him and basically says that if he knew what was best for him than he should take over being God. In verses 8-14 God shows Job just how powerful he is and when I read it, it reminds me too.

How many of us can handle the trials and tribulations without cursing God? We often wonder why have u done this to me, have I not been faithful, have i done something wrong? When we go through these things we need to remember Job and his example, we need to get down on our knees and praise God for who He is. We need to say "the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord". We need to reminder that this life is a gift and everything we are given is a blessing. That we were not put here to have all these things but we are here to grow the kingdom and serve the Lord. We are so undeserving but sometimes we walk around like the Lord is a genie in a bottle. That he owes us something, when the truth is we didn't even deserve salvation. Lets praise God through all the good times and the bad times. When we struggle God is refining us into the women we need to be. What a testimony we can be as well when we live out this faith we have. Like Job said should we accept good from God but not adversity?

Thank you Lord for all the blessings in our life, thank you for all the trials. Help us to remember that everything we have is a gift from you. That we can't take our next breath without you. Lord help us to think of Job when we are going through these things and how we can preserve with our eyes focused on you and the purpose of this life. Search us Lord and show us anything that needs to be "refined". Help us to prayerfully consider our life and any changes that we need to make in it. Thank you Lord for your sacrifice, in Jesus name.. Amen..