1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. ..
18 – 22 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. Job 1 -22
Job is often cited when we face difficult situations. The Bible says “Job was blameless and upright”, yet Job lived through one of the most painful experiences as recorded in the Bible. Losing his children was the last in a series of disasters, yet the Bible records that Job’s response was to worship! Despite all he endured, Job maintained that his “Redeemer lives”, and he lived in expectation that God would deliver him.
When we are in the midst of joy and prosperity, it is easy to sing “Blessed be Your name.” In the midst of our awful trials and life-altering testings, we don’t always want to hear that “God is in control”, or ‘God knows best”, and that we should give thanks in and for everything. Our natural inclination is often to go with our feelings, instead of willing ourselves to look at our situation from God’s perspective …
It is often easier for us to believe for others than it is to believe for ourselves. Perhaps today you are in a low place and you need someone to believe for you. Perhaps you are on the mountaintop and celebrating what God has done in your life. Wherever we are today, our awesome, amazing God is standing right beside us. May we never forget this when life changes come, and may we always remember “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Inventory/Introspection: How can my daily living demonstrate my belief that “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord” ?
Personal Application: I will trust God with my circumstances, believing that “blessed be the name of the Lord” can become my automatic response in any situation.
Father, You are all we need – even though we don’t always know it! We are thankful that nothing in our lives is an accident or a mistake, and that we never come across anything that You are not aware of! Blessed be Your name!
Life sometimes goes in a direction we did not anticipate, and often we don’t understand where we need to go, but we are thankful that we can place our lives in Your hands, knowing that You have it all under control. Blessed be Your name!
Job rested in the knowledge that nothing gets by You. May we know and understand that You are the same God that visited Job , and the comfort that You gave to Him is available to us. We will rest in Your peace. Blessed be Your name!!
It is so much easier to praise You when life is great and plans are unfolding as we desire. At other times, not so much… Today we stand alongside those who have lost and are in pain, and we celebrate the good that You have done in their lives. We are thankful that whatever You do is done in love, and we do declare “ Blessed be Your name!!”
Amen
Blessings,
ann
Toni R
(c)
Except where indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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Debbie
Thank you so much, dear Ann, for encouraging us during the times we don’t understand ..and standing with us when we are struggling to stand. Praying that ‘blessed be His name’ be my response in any situation too!
love you and God bless you and yours!
Ann
God bless you, Dearest Deb
You are such a treasure!
Job’s response never ceases to amaze me. 🙂 I don’t know what I would have done if I had to endure half of what Job lived through, but I am asking God to help me think, live, and speak “Blessed be Your name” in the midst of circumstances.
Please pray for our Pastor and family as they adjust to life without their young daughter who went to be with Jesus on Monday night. “Blessed be Your name” seems to be the song that many of us are singing, and while we really believe that God is to be praised, regardless, the present pain is a reality.
Still, we are pressing in and believing that God will be glorified in these circumstances as we continue to sing “Blessed be Your name!”
Blessings
ann
thefisherlady
I am sorry to hear of their loss and will uphold you all in prayer… indeed even when we don’t understand… blessed be the name of the Lord. This is such a small dot on the line of eternity where we will dwell with him forever and death will be no more. Jesus alone, our hope of glory. Hugs to you all.
My husband is in a very low spot at the moment with challenges that may end his teaching position because the district is trying to retire the older and hire younger they don’t have to pay as high to. He is having a hard time releasing the bitterness as he is fearfull of his future. I am praying he can remember the story of Job at this time and say with me, ” Blessed be the Name of the Lord”
Ann
Dearest Susan
“This is such a small dot on the line of eternity where we will dwell with him forever and death will be no more. Jesus alone, our hope of glory.”
Amen!! Thank you for your kind reminder 🙂 Healing may be long in coming, but this will mean nothing when Jesus comes!
I am so sorry your husband is in this position at this time. Praying alongside you and your beloved as you take the next steps. May God our Deliver show Himself strong in this situation.
Blessings and hugs to you too,
ann
Larry Who
A timeless message for all of us to remember. Thanks.
Ann
Thank you and God bless you much, Larry.
For Him,
ann
joseph elon lillie
Thank you Ann. This word stands next to another I have been meditating on from the Psalms, ” I will lead you in the best way for your life. I will guide you and advise you. Only don’t be like the stubborn horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle.”
When the world gets tough do we walk on like horse trained for war or do we buck like a wild Bronco?
I am in prayer for your PASTOR and his family.
Ann
God bless you, Pastor J
“When the world gets tough do we walk on like horse trained for war or do we buck like a wild Bronco?”
Good question!!
I know what I want to answer, but I’m pretty sure I would do more bucking and kicking….
Thank you for lifting this family in prayer.
Blessings
ann
Apologies for the delay (Just got past the graduation ‘hurdle’. Was quite an experience!!)
bendedspoon
In the midst of our awful trials and life-altering testings, we don’t always want to hear that “God is in control”, or ‘God knows best”.
I was guilty of that! Though I knew that God is in control I didn’t have the patience to wait for Him to ‘discipline’ those who hurt me. And so I did it on my own, said harsh words which may be true then and now but it ended up myself feeling ashamed to God.
It was years ago and now I have learned to control my reaction — and learning some more.
Hugggggs to you dearest Ann 🙂
Ann
Thanks for sharing, Princess Rea!
“Though I knew that God is in control I didn’t have the patience to wait for Him to ‘discipline’ those who hurt me.”
Your statement has me thinking much about the times I took matters into my own hands. Like you, I end up being regretful of the things I did or said… So thankful that His amazing Grace is more than enough . 🙂
May Papa continue to flood peace over you as you trust Him to order your steps.
Blessings and Hugs!
ann
P.S. So sorry I’m only just getting an opportunity to respond. Life has suddenly become quite hectic!
Moore to ponder
“It is often easier for us to believe for others than it is to believe for ourselves. Perhaps today you are in a low place and you need someone to believe for you.”
I have been very low…have felt isolated and desolate for such a long time.
I was in the shower today thinking about how much I would love to have a Christian friend nearby…someone to confide in and lean on a little. I thought about the fact that I had the Lord and how that should be enough, and feeling sad and ashamed that I wasn’t able to draw comfort from knowledge at that moment. Then I remembered these verses:
“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12.
…So off and on this evening I have been reading posts from a few blogs. Then I came here. What you said above confirmed the thoughts in the Ecclesiastes passage. And that is not all! Off and on recently I have been pondering the account about Job. Yesterday I was thinking so hard about it that I wrote both my daughter, and my son’s fiancé and spoke to them about it. I had been struck by the lavish way the Lord poured out his blessings upon Job:
“12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” Job 42:12
I know it is not mere coincidence that I came by and read your blog post today. I know that the Lord is trying to tell me something; I am not sure what, and I dare not compare my character to Job’s. I have been a very sour camper for quite sometime…quite the sinner in deed. I have had my moments when my attitude has been more pleasing to the Lord, but they are far outnumbered by moments when my attitude has stunk. I still do not know what is in store for me and my family, but for some reason I am feeling
joyful anticipation that a spiritual (not material) breakthrough is right around the corner…is imminent! 🙂
God bless you, Ann!
Theresa
Ann
Dearest Theresa
Thanks for sharing your heart and for adding those verses. 🙂
I love the illustration in the 3-stranded cord – we really do need each other.
May God reward your faithfulness as you trust Him. May He pour his favour lavishly upon you and yours! We all make mistakes, thankfully He allows us to learn and grow from our shortcomings. He is our amazing God!
I am praying that your breakthrough will come soon. I am also praying that God will open opportunities for you to enjoy corporate fellowship with other brethren. May God grant you the desires of your heart!
Your comment reminded me of a song I learned a few years ago. Thought I would share it with you. (Pour My Love on You – Phillips, Craig and Dean)
Blessings
ann
Moore to ponder
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, your prayer, and the beautiful song!
Ann
You are most welcome . 🙂
Hugs and Prayers!
Blessings
ann