Quote for the Day
“…may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Today's Prayer
This week, praise God. Praise God for the bounty He has given you. Praise God for the trials and tribulations He has brought you through and the faith it has built into you. This week pray that those on the road will be able to see ALL that God is doing and that they will Praise His name alone.
Job 1:13-22
Job 1:13-22 (NIV)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.
Message
We all can think back to some very desperate or trying times in our lives. There are few of us who have escaped the hurt of losing a loved one. Most of us experience these times as valleys amid the joys and pleasures of life. Many joys occur between the hurts. For Job, the biggest trials of his life came all at once. In one very devastating day he loses not only all his wealth and means of income, but he also loses his family. In an instant he moves from wealth and joy of family into poverty and loneliness. Let’s add up the losses: all worldly wealth….all means of producing income….all ten of his children. And what remains? His wife and his health. How many times do we hear the phrase, “At least I have my health?” Well, this would be the best response we could expect from someone in Job’s situation! Anyone but Job, that is. Job is different. He actually only counted ONE item left: his relationship with God almighty!Job’s response to the day’s events is to declare, “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.” PRAISED! Not just thanked or remembered. Not just, “Okay…Your will is being done, Lord.” No! Job wanted to praise God. Why is this? Again, look back at the verses we have read over the last few weeks. Job was blameless and upright BECAUSE he feared God and shunned evil, which is the process by which he gained a close relationship with God, which is why he was able to not just survive the worst day anyone could imagine, but could actually praise God for it. What have you praised God for recently? Have you taken the time to be sure God knows your heart? Are you ready to praise Him for everything that is about to happen in your life?