GOD HAS THE RIGHT TO GIVE AND TAKE

One of the good questions to ask about Job's suffering is, "How did he keep his faith in God in his suffering?" He never blamed God when he lost both of his children and his financial security almost at the same time. For us who have experienced losing loved ones, we know that it is very painful. It takes a long time to grieve. In addition, for us who have lost jobs, we know that it brings worriness or anxiety because of the financial responsibilities that we have. When we put ourselves in Job's suffering, we cannot even imagine how we would respond. Are we going to respond like his wife, or are we going to respond like Job? Here's Job's response when he lost his children and his financial security: "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!" (Job 1:21). There are four things that Job understood and believed with all his heart about God and himself. The first thing is that he came naked from his mother's womb. Job understood that when he came into this world from his mother's womb, he didn't possess anything. His parents indeed prepared many things for him before he was born, but all he had was the breath in his lungs that God gave to Him. 

The second thing that he believed was that, just as he entered the world with nothing, he would leave this world the same way. All the possessions that he had accumulated in this world would not benefit him when he was gone. The third belief that he held is that God provided him with everything he owns, such as his parents, wife, children, servants, wealth, and all his possessions. Lastly, Job believed that God had the right to take away everything He had given him. Job trusted in what he knew about God, which gave him the strength and resilience to continue having faith in God. We must understand that the God who gave us everything that we have has the right to take everything that He has given us. Job was grateful for all the blessings that God had given him, but he was also willing to return to God whatever God required of him. God expects us to surrender everything He has given us. We must receive God's blessings loosely so that we can give them back to Him if He requires, and we must be thankful for the time we have them, no matter how short the time is. 

It is painful to lose someone, and it is worrying when we lose our jobs, but everything that we have comes from God, and God has the right to take them away from us. We may not fully understand why God takes away what He has given us, but we must trust in His goodness and purpose in our lives. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What does God expect of me in how I treat everything that God has given me? Am I prepared to return to God what He has given me if He requires it back? What is God showing me in today's devotion?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, it is difficult when I go through suffering, especially when I do not understand the reason you take what you have given me. But I acknowledge that you are my God. Thank you for all that you have given me. Please help me to rest in your love and all your promises that you will take care of all the cares and concerns that I have. Please comfort me when I have questions that are beyond my understanding. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.