At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 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.” Job 1:20-21
God had allowed Satan to strike at Job, but not to touch Job himself. Enemies had come into Job’s land and place, and killed off all of his children, and taken all of his cattle and grain. Although Job was distressed about this, he knelt down and praised God. He knew that he had come into this world with nothing and will leave it with nothing.
Loosing things is very difficult for most people. When a person looses a house or car, they are often very distressed and angry at someone or something. It is even more difficult when a person looses a loved one. Many people have become extremely angry when they lost a loved one to a sickness or an accident.
People feel that they have a right to having something or someone. If that thing or person is taken away from them, their rights are violated.
Believers must have a different view, as Job did. He realized that everything he had was given by God. God is the one in control. Since God is the one who is in control and He is the one who gave it, He also has the authority to take it away.
Satan had no power to take anything from Job, until God gave him the power and authority to do so.
The same thing applies to your own life. Everything you have has been given to you by God. Everything that is taken away from you, has been taken by God’s permission.
Keeping that in mind, you must give God praise through it all, in the good times and in the bad times. Be like Paul in being content with little or with a lot. Praise God continually and in all things. He knows what is best for you. He will take what you don’t need and give you what you do need.
I pray today that you will find contentment in God; that you will trust God for all of your needs; that you will praise God in all things; and that you will not be angry when God removes something from you.
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