“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” – Job 1:21
Whatever loss we suffer we should look at in the light of this verse. All we have received was graciously given by God’s goodness. As James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Therefore when we incur a loss we should be appreciative we had it rather than angry because it was taken away from us. Out of the depths of God’s love it was given and out of the great well of His wisdom it was taken. In both cases God is love. He changes not. Whether sunshine or shadows He remains the same.
God loves you just as much when He takes as He does when He gives. And, although we might not see it at the time, the greater good can often come through grief rather than gladness. At this time it is not for us to know the reasoning of God in regards to such matters. Only that he has a reason. It is our duty to trust Him, not judge Him. Since we didn’t and couldn’t do anything to deserve what He gave, we shouldn’t complain when He deems it best to take it away.
Hopefully you will apply this to every area of your life — the departure of a loved one, the demise of your health, the departure of your youth, the dispossession of your goods, and the deprivation of your desires. That which you so desperately wanted to cling to might have ultimately brought you great pain and suffering had God allowed you to keep it. So out of His mercy He removed it to spare you the agony He knew it would bring. You could say that even when the Lord takes He is giving in some sense of the word.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “But how shall I live without it?” The answer is found in 2 Cor. 12:9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” A child of God in the will of God can endure absolutely anything. As Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”- Phil. 4:13. — HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
