Scripture:
Job 1:20-22 ESV
[20] Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. [21] 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.” [22] In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
Observation:
After everything that Job had worked so hard for was gone, we find him processing what had just happened. He had torn his clothes, shaved his head, and was on his face worshipping GOD the Father, yes, that’s right worshipping GOD the Father. You see, Job knew he would leave this world the same way he came into it…..with nothing, and his thought at the moment was sorrow. However, he worshipped because he knew he could not take any of it with him, and he knew where it all came from, Job’s statement that GOD gives, and GOD takes away is very important. It shows that HE knew who was in control.
Application:
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 talks about the foundation being built on Jesus Christ first of all. That’s the only foundation that will support the weight of the world, and second, it’s the only rock solid enough to stand on. Everything we have here on earth will stay here when we leave. The only thing that will make it through the fire is the work we have done for the kingdom of heaven. I’m looking at Job’s reaction and watching him worship GOD. After all, HE had just lost everything he owned. Not only that, but all of his kids were dead. How many of us lose a loved one and get mad at GOD for it we think HE somehow did this to us. Our perspective is off if we think for one second that GOD did that. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came so that we would have life to the full. When we place our family in the hands of GOD like Job, we not only know who’s they are but that we will see them again. My second point is that nothing you own will go with you when you leave this earth. All the things you worked so hard to obtain will be left behind to rust or burn up. So, what are you truly working for? A house? A car? A fat wallet? The only things that will make it through the fire are the things you did for the kingdom. That’s it, so do you own your possessions, or do your possessions own you? If something tragic happens, do you worship HIM, or blame it on HIM? This life is not our own. The stuff we have HE gave us, and he can take it away. It’s ours to use while we are here, and then it’s someone else’s…. but only until it rusts. I want my treasure to be stored in heaven. I want my life to be lived in such a way that the preacher doesn’t have to lie at my memorial service.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all your blessings. You have supplied us richly. We know it all comes from you. Let us keep the right perspective on it. Let us not cling to anything so tightly it can’t be let go of. Father, we know that when our possessions own us, we are in trouble. I believe the more important thing is our family Father, let us place them in your hands. Job trusted you with his children, and we trust you with ours. Show us how to lead them pray for them and teach them about your son. Just like our possessions, Father, you gave them to us, and we want to honor you in the way we bring them up. Training them in the way they should go so that they will not part from it. Let us worship you in all times in good and in bad, knowing that we are your handy work. We love you, Father, and it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.