“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’” Job 1:21b NIV
When we give our hearts to God, Satan stamps with rage. He never wants us to trust God and His purposes, let alone praise Him in the midst of devastating circumstances.
Satan stripped Job’s life to the marrow of the bone. His possessions and livelihood down the drain. Every one of his precious children, seven sons and three daughters, swept from this life with a whirlwind and a collapsed roof.
Bowing down in his grief, Job tore his robe and shaved his head. It hurt, oh so much. But what did he do? He acknowledged all he had was in God’s hands to give and to take. He even went a step further and said, “May the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job was further tested, and he lost his health. Some of his friends arrogantly told him he must have some hidden sins that God is punishing him for. But sitting in the ashes with painful sores, he cried, “I know my Redeemer lives.”
Because our Redeemer lives, Satan was forced to retreat. Because our Redeemer lives, Satan will never have the final victory with us either. Because our Redeemer lives, we can learn to praise God even in the darkness.
© 2011 - Trudy Den Hoed
What losses have you experienced?
What was your lowest point of darkness?
What gave you hope?
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