Then Job
arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and
worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall
return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of
the Lord.” (vv.20-21)
Before we even get through chapter 1, we see that Job’s life had been severely shaken. He lost his wealth and his
servants (vv.14-17), then his children (vv. 18–19), and later his health
(2:7–8). Finally, even his wife seemed to turn against him (2:9). This series
of blows caused two reactions to spill out of Job. One was grief, and the other was total submission to God. It was obvious that what filled him most
was love for and trust in, the God of heaven - because what came out of him was truly remarkable.
Life
is full of events that can shake us. What spills out of us depends on what we’ve
put in. If you’ve been prone to harbor grudges and bitterness, you can
guess what will gush out—anger and hatred. If you’ve sought to be filled with
the Holy Spirit and the things of God, that also will be obvious by your
reactions to life's events. No matter how you might wish otherwise, only those things that are
in you, can spill out.
A
life that doesn't undergo heartbreaking adversity is rare. Bad things do happen to good people. But, what is really needed in that moment is not a plausible explanation as to why, but the ability to
endure without emotional collapse or spiritual bitterness. Notice Job's reaction. He grieved
yes, but he still worshiped God. He did not curse Him nor deny Him, but blessed
Him.
If you are going through the fire right now, know that there is a purpose for everything under heaven, keep your faith, read your Bible, pour His Word into your soul. Then what comes out from you will bless the LORD and those around you.
The
Truth
"My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2
Corinthians 12:9)
