Job 1:21

New International Version (NIV)

“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.”

For meditation

The rapidity with which the various messengers brought bad news was dizzying.

The first messenger reported Sabeans’ raid of his oxen and donkeys, carrying them all away (Job. 1:14-15).

“While he was still speaking,” another messenger came in with news about Job’s sheep and their shepherds. The fire of God fell and burned them all (16).

“While he was still speaking,” report about the Chaldean’s raid came in. All his camels were gone and his servants were dead (17).

“While he was still speaking,” another messenger delivered the final blow. Job’s ten children were trapped under the collapsed roof of their oldest brother’s house where they were feasting. There was no survivor (18-19).

In the space of a few minutes, without a break in tempo, Job had lost all his sons and daughters and his entire worldly possessions. The rapidity of the reports could induce a massive heart attack in anybody. It was enough to send Job’s sense of reason to the dogs. Disillusionment could have set in and led him on a trail of careless pronouncements and actions. But Job would have none of those. His response reveals a man at peace with himself in God’s sovereignty and an absolute trust in His name.

 “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” (21).

1. How could the man be so calm in the face of such catastrophe?
2. Can you deal with the loss of your entire property in this way?
3. How about the loss of a family member?
4. One child could be devastating enough to lose; but ten children at a time?
5. So, how could Job be so cool about this total loss, except for his wife?

I see the right perspective on life, ownership, and Lordship playing together here.

When you reckon that you came into this world with nothing and will exit with nothing, your vision becomes clear and real. You’re unmoved by catastrophe. They may ruffle your feathers a bit, but like a bird in the rain, your body will not get wet.

When you grasp the fact that you’re just a custodian of all your worldly possessions, you can always turn a loss over to the real owner and let Him deal with it. You hold everything loosely for God, who gives and takes away.

Finally, recognizing that the Almighty God is your Lord allows you to praise Him, even in suffering – particularly, when you acknowledge Him as your Creator and Savior.

I don’t know what you’re going through in this season of your life, but I can stand on Job’s testimony to comfort you.

I pray that God gives you the perspective of Job on life, ownership, and His Lordship.

So: May your anchor hold in the storms of life in Christ Jesus. Amen!

Shalom.