Worshipping God Amidst the Storms
Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,
"I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!"
In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 1:20-22 (NLT)
"I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!"
In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 1:20-22 (NLT)
Job lost everything he had in one day! He lost all his wealth -- his cattle, his servants, and, most of all, his ten cherished children. By all accounts, the news was devastating. How was he going to respond to this tragedy? The answer is quite insightful. . . he grieved and mourned, but he also fell to the ground in worship! There are several instructive things in Job's words of worship.
First, Job acknowledged that it was a privilege to have been blessed with all that he had possessed. He admitted the fact that he came with nothing into the world and that he would exit the world with nothing! This is an important perspective on material possessions. No matter how tremendous our material possessions might be, we must remember that we could lose them at any time because life is full of unpredictable vicissitudes! We must certainly enjoy the blessings God bestows upon us but we must never cling so tightly to them that a change in fortunes would cause us to be devastated beyond repair. We do not haul our possessions with us into the grave! We leave them behind on earth!
Second, Job acknowledged the source of his blessings -- God! In his grief, he took time to praise the name of God as the alpha and omega of his essence and possessions. Job recognized the absolute sovereignty of God in enabling us to either have or dispossess us of things. Hard work and the use of our abilities are necessary to create wealth and have success. But ultimately, we must always remember that those ideas and abilities are all gifts from God.
The Bible reminds us in Deuteronomy 8:17-18 "He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved all this wealth with my own strength and energy.' Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful. . . "
We should remain humble and grateful at all times, remembering God as our source.
Finally, Job praised and worshipped God amidst his grief! He praised God rather than blame Him. The truth is: In times of great loss, pain, grief, and suffering, it is easy to get bitter and shake our fists at God because we are human and our knowledge is limited! But God is omniscient -- He is all-knowing. God knows the end from the beginning and His plans for us are for our good and never for evil. So, let's learn to trust, revere, and worship Him no matter what the storms of life may be. God is able to sustain us and restore us to even greater prominence than we had before! He is a Giver, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Restorer. Learn to worship Him amidst the storms!
First, Job acknowledged that it was a privilege to have been blessed with all that he had possessed. He admitted the fact that he came with nothing into the world and that he would exit the world with nothing! This is an important perspective on material possessions. No matter how tremendous our material possessions might be, we must remember that we could lose them at any time because life is full of unpredictable vicissitudes! We must certainly enjoy the blessings God bestows upon us but we must never cling so tightly to them that a change in fortunes would cause us to be devastated beyond repair. We do not haul our possessions with us into the grave! We leave them behind on earth!
Second, Job acknowledged the source of his blessings -- God! In his grief, he took time to praise the name of God as the alpha and omega of his essence and possessions. Job recognized the absolute sovereignty of God in enabling us to either have or dispossess us of things. Hard work and the use of our abilities are necessary to create wealth and have success. But ultimately, we must always remember that those ideas and abilities are all gifts from God.
The Bible reminds us in Deuteronomy 8:17-18 "He did all this so you would never say to yourself, 'I have achieved all this wealth with my own strength and energy.' Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful. . . "
We should remain humble and grateful at all times, remembering God as our source.
Finally, Job praised and worshipped God amidst his grief! He praised God rather than blame Him. The truth is: In times of great loss, pain, grief, and suffering, it is easy to get bitter and shake our fists at God because we are human and our knowledge is limited! But God is omniscient -- He is all-knowing. God knows the end from the beginning and His plans for us are for our good and never for evil. So, let's learn to trust, revere, and worship Him no matter what the storms of life may be. God is able to sustain us and restore us to even greater prominence than we had before! He is a Giver, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Restorer. Learn to worship Him amidst the storms!
Prayer: LORD, I worship you in my situation. Please help me to be thankful whether in the valley or on the mountaintop. Help me never to lose my worship no matter how harsh the storms of life might rage. I ask all this in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.