Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 26, 2020
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
The Lord gives and the Lord takes. He gives life and He takes life. He gives relationships and He takes relationships. He gives blessings and He takes blessings. He gives prosperity and He takes prosperity. He gives opportunities and He takes opportunities. He gives health and He takes health. He gives and takes but He still deserves praise!
It is easy to praise God when He gives us good things, but it is hard to praise Him when He takes away good things. Yet, it is the power of praise to the Lord that empowers our faith to endure. Praise to Jesus prompts us to persevere in belief and obedience. He realigns our heart and mind to heaven’s expectations instead of bowing to earth’s demands. When God gives it’s a blessing and when He takes it is a blessing. He knows our needs.
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11).
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. His character is not cruel, but caring. He is not harsh, but kind. The Lord is gracious, not mean-spirited. However, He is jealous for you. He delights in you for who you are, and who you can become by His grace. His loyal love will not allow you to be enamored with someone or something that competes with Him. Christ removes any competitors of exclusive devotion to Him.
You can be content and grateful for the lot in life God has given you. Perhaps He has you in your current career for the growth of your character and competence. Sometimes He rains down grace and other times the sun of adversity beats down in a sweat of suffering. The Lord gives and takes in His timing for His glory. Hold loosely His blessings and burdens, and be ready to receive His great grace and love.
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I trust You in all seasons: when You give and when You take.
Application
What do I need to let go of that the Lord may be taking away?
Related Reading
Job 2:10; Numbers 14:18; Acts 18:21; Hebrews 10:36
Here is a helpful resource during these days of grief, sorrow and uncertainty: A Little Book of Comfort
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God realigns our heart and mind to heaven’s expectations instead of bowing to earth’s demands. #realign #wisdomhuters #truth #Jesus
Worship Resource
6 minute video: Hillsong Young & Free:
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