“The LORD GAVE…”

We seem to like the idea of that. But what about the rest of the verse? “…And the LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY.”

Somehow that gets lost in modern-day “Christianity.” We like the idea of addition but not subtraction when it comes to self-centeredness and one popular area today is the false teaching of promoting life as all about “wealth, health, and prosperity!” Where Self is the center and God is but a means but not the end, but a means to get what you want rather than worthy to be worshipped and followed for who He is and not what He gives! God does give, and God does take away, and is He enough? The goal for the peddlers and promoters of the “health, wealth. and prosperity gospel” is not His Glory but the “gold” of materialism! It’s all about and for self and not the Savior!

We need to pray for them. We need to take heed we don’t fall into that distortion and trap!-{ReadProverbs 16:18; Galatians 6:1}

But note the lesson from Job, he lost family, and property,  and his response after the fourth servant told him what had happened to his family members, they had all died, note his immediate response,

“When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said:

“We bring nothing at birth;
we take nothing
    with us at death.
The Lord alone gives and takes.
Praise the name of the Lord!” -={ Job 1:20-21}

He concludes Whether He gives or takes away-“ to WORSHIP GOD and PRAISE His Name! ” The Name of the LORD be Praised!”- (Job 1:13-21).

Job did not understand His purpose in what was happening. He did not know of the conversation between satan and God as recorded in Job 1, but he did understand His Sovereign right to reign in his life … that God was God and he was not. His response to his great loss and pain was that He chose to praise Him who gave and who took away… in the midst of sorrow, great trauma, heartache, and loss, he CHOSE PRAISE based on a true PERSPECTIVE of Him!

  • “LORD help us when we do not understand, that we know Your purposes are being worked out and to have the right perspective even in evil times… remind us that You are Sovereign working out your Plans and purposes… and worthy of my Praise!”

* GOD’S PURPOSE; We don’t always know the “why?” But we do know He will work all things together for good, including this thing we are going through. That’s His promise.-{ Read Romans 8:28}. We know His Purpose is His glory ultimately. His honor. And so even in suffering, intense trials, to suffer well for His glory.-{Read 1 Cor 10:31;1Peter 4:12-19}

* GODLY PERSPECTIVE; – Comes from knowing Him through His Word. Seeing life through what He says and not what I “feel” as feelings change and are not always an accurate indicator but His Word is! Godly perspective comes from knowing the mind of God on a matter that is found in His Word and the Holy Spirit gives you understanding, empowers, and teaches us His way. The Word of God is to be our authority. guidance and to develop a Godly mindset, and perspective in my daily life.

* PRAISE TO GOD!– Whether He gives or takes away, the Name- that speaks of His character, He Himself is to be blessed, and praised!

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

may the name of the Lord be praised.”-( Job 1:21)

God bless

Aidan