Belongs to Him |The Life of Job Pt. 1
This is the first of a three part series called The Life of Job. It is a look into his life and journey. This post will cover Job chapter 1.
Job was a man of honesty, integrity, and faith. He was devoted to God and hated all things evil. He worked hard and was very wealthy. He had several kids and many animals. He was also a very influential guy.
Then there is a very interesting conversation that takes place between God and Satan. Satan is called the 'Designated Accuser', which describes his role and personality. God asks Satan if he had noticed His friend Job. Notice that God refers to Job as His friend! He goes on to say that there's no one quite like him. Satan accuses God of pampering Job like a pet and says if God were to take everything away from him, he'd curse God right to His face. God then gives Satan permission to do what he wants as long as Job doesn't get hurt.
So Satan takes away Job's children, animals, shepherds, and camel drivers. He stripped Job of everything he had. This is the part I really want to emphasis: Job's reaction. He took off his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, and worshiped God. This poor man is crushed in spirit, afraid, confused, horrified, and I'm sure many other emotions as well, yet he still worships the Lord. He says, "God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed." What a remarkable thing for him to pronounce in a time of such darkness. Not once, through all this did Job sin, nor did He blame God.
When we find ourselves in a spot where we are wondering why God would let this happen to us, know that God didn't want these things to happen. He didn't will them. It was the evil schemes of Satan. Although they were intended for evil, God will use them for good. If we start blaming God and cursing Him, we fall directly into Satan's trap, because that's exactly what he wants us to do.
Whether God is giving or taking away, still we praise because it all belongs to Him. Our hearts, our bodies, our loved ones, our possessions, and our lives. It all belongs to Him. Be encouraged by Job's experience and faith, and tune in for next week's post to continue exploring the life of Job.
~Nicole
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I'll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed." -Job 1:21
