Job 42:10 (NLT)
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!
What an amazing story of how God allowed Job to endure hardships. I reread Job recently and so much came to mind. I saw many things that I never really saw before. Perhaps that's because I am coming out of a rather long life challenge myself. It never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit reveals the truths we desperately need in our time of need. A verse that we have often read takes on new meaning, or perhaps a verse that we've often overlooked comes to light.
As I was rereading Job, the entire book took on new meaning. There were so many takeaways that I needed to reflect on and also apply to my life. The first was that it was much more than a man's hardships, challenges, and struggles; it started with God's approval and recognition. God looked down and smiled on His servant Job (Job 1:8). The hardships weren't a result of God's discipline, they were a result of God's approval. The hardships came from Satan's accusation and attack ONLY after God gave him permission and set limits to what could be done to Job. I’m sure we have all heard at times that, “Nothing can happen to us unless God allows it.” Here was another great example of how no matter what may come our way, it must first come through our Lord before it can come to us.
It's so easy to see every challenge or hardship as a consequence for something we've done wrong. God undoubtedly disciplines His children, but perhaps there are times when the hardships are really the smile of the Lord to prepare us for more, and perhaps even to prove the condition of our heart to others and even the enemy at times. As children of the Great I Am, we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus! While we aren't without sin, we are white as snow when we come to Him with a repentant heart. The enemy is the accuser and condemner, and God is gracious and merciful. He loves us so much more than we could ever love our own children. If we wouldn't continue to discipline our kids for what they did in the past, why would He?
I always remember God restoring Job and all that he lost with a double portion, but somehow I missed what I believe to be a very important part. "When Job prayed for his friends, The Lord restored his fortunes" (Job 42:10).
God spoke to Job, Job spoke to God, and God spoke to Job's friends. There was a lot of communicating going on, but it wasn't until Job had prayed for his friends that God restored him. It got me thinking about how awesome God truly is and how He works in each of our lives: Teaching us, molding us, and shaping us to become more like Him. Not only to have a repentant heart, but also a forgiving heart. When I think of these two words, I think of repentance as “releasing me” and forgiveness as “releasing others”, and it is takes both before I am truly free and no longer hostage to what I've done or what others have done to me.
I began to wonder, “What if Job hadn't prayed for his friends?” Would God have restored him with a double portion? Perhaps He wouldn't have restored Job at all. I would have loved to hear Job's prayer! Perhaps our blessing that follows a storm is like Job’s, and comes only after the blessing we offer for others. One of the coolest parts of this story is that God already knew what Job was going to do, just like He knows what we are going to do.
Job 42:8 (NLT)
“…My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve...”
And since He already knows we are going to do, perhaps He's just waiting on us to do it before He pours out His blessing. Perhaps our hardships aren't just about "us", but are also about "others".
Lord,
Thank You for smiling upon us. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Father, help to embrace any and all hardships that You allow to come to us with a receptive and loving heart. Though we may question at times through the struggle as Job, may we always find Your blessing at the end. Lord, help us to bless others even through our suffering. Help us to shine Your light even in the darkest of times. Thank You in advance for restoring us, renewing us, and an opportunity to grow along the way. We love You Lord! Amen.
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!
What an amazing story of how God allowed Job to endure hardships. I reread Job recently and so much came to mind. I saw many things that I never really saw before. Perhaps that's because I am coming out of a rather long life challenge myself. It never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit reveals the truths we desperately need in our time of need. A verse that we have often read takes on new meaning, or perhaps a verse that we've often overlooked comes to light.
As I was rereading Job, the entire book took on new meaning. There were so many takeaways that I needed to reflect on and also apply to my life. The first was that it was much more than a man's hardships, challenges, and struggles; it started with God's approval and recognition. God looked down and smiled on His servant Job (Job 1:8). The hardships weren't a result of God's discipline, they were a result of God's approval. The hardships came from Satan's accusation and attack ONLY after God gave him permission and set limits to what could be done to Job. I’m sure we have all heard at times that, “Nothing can happen to us unless God allows it.” Here was another great example of how no matter what may come our way, it must first come through our Lord before it can come to us.
It's so easy to see every challenge or hardship as a consequence for something we've done wrong. God undoubtedly disciplines His children, but perhaps there are times when the hardships are really the smile of the Lord to prepare us for more, and perhaps even to prove the condition of our heart to others and even the enemy at times. As children of the Great I Am, we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus! While we aren't without sin, we are white as snow when we come to Him with a repentant heart. The enemy is the accuser and condemner, and God is gracious and merciful. He loves us so much more than we could ever love our own children. If we wouldn't continue to discipline our kids for what they did in the past, why would He?
I always remember God restoring Job and all that he lost with a double portion, but somehow I missed what I believe to be a very important part. "When Job prayed for his friends, The Lord restored his fortunes" (Job 42:10).
God spoke to Job, Job spoke to God, and God spoke to Job's friends. There was a lot of communicating going on, but it wasn't until Job had prayed for his friends that God restored him. It got me thinking about how awesome God truly is and how He works in each of our lives: Teaching us, molding us, and shaping us to become more like Him. Not only to have a repentant heart, but also a forgiving heart. When I think of these two words, I think of repentance as “releasing me” and forgiveness as “releasing others”, and it is takes both before I am truly free and no longer hostage to what I've done or what others have done to me.
I began to wonder, “What if Job hadn't prayed for his friends?” Would God have restored him with a double portion? Perhaps He wouldn't have restored Job at all. I would have loved to hear Job's prayer! Perhaps our blessing that follows a storm is like Job’s, and comes only after the blessing we offer for others. One of the coolest parts of this story is that God already knew what Job was going to do, just like He knows what we are going to do.
Job 42:8 (NLT)
“…My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve...”
And since He already knows we are going to do, perhaps He's just waiting on us to do it before He pours out His blessing. Perhaps our hardships aren't just about "us", but are also about "others".
Lord,
Thank You for smiling upon us. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Father, help to embrace any and all hardships that You allow to come to us with a receptive and loving heart. Though we may question at times through the struggle as Job, may we always find Your blessing at the end. Lord, help us to bless others even through our suffering. Help us to shine Your light even in the darkest of times. Thank You in advance for restoring us, renewing us, and an opportunity to grow along the way. We love You Lord! Amen.