“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.” (Job 1:21)
Reflect:
Job suffered the worst losses a person could have in a single day. His five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys were stolen. His seven thousand sheep were burned up. His three thousand camels were also taken by raiding parties. Most of his servants were killed. A windstorm killed his seven sons and three daughters. After he received news of all this, he spoke the words of this verse. Job still praised God.
Many people get angry with God and blame him for their losses. That is precisely what Satan was expecting Job to do. That was his purpose in causing all this destruction. Job praised God instead. I don’t know if I could have done that. God had to show me how to be thankful in the hours after my son died. I don’t think I could have gotten there on my own. Job’s loss was multitudes worse than mine, but he went right to praising God. Job sets the standard for reacting to God when we suffer loss.
Think:
How are you reacting to God in your loss? What do you need to change?
Pray:
Father, I praise you. Even though I am hurting in my loss, I know that you were not the cause of my loss. Blame may rest with this sinful world, poor decisions, sickness, or even Satan, but not with you. You created my loved one. You love them. I may never understand why this happened, but I know you will bring some good from this loss. I praise you in Jesus’ name.
Amen.