Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 27, 2022
Read Job 1:13-22
13 One day Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. 14 A messenger came to Job and said: “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were grazing nearby 15 when the Sabeans took them and killed the young men with swords. I alone escaped to tell you.” 16 While this messenger was speaking, another arrived and said: “A raging fire fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and devoured the young men. I alone escaped to tell you.” 17 While this messenger was speaking, another arrived and said: “Chaldeans set up three companies, raided the camels and took them, killing the young men with swords. I alone escaped to tell you.” 18 While this messenger was speaking, another arrived and said: “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 when a strong wind came from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people, and they died. I alone escaped to tell you.” 20 Job arose, tore his clothes, shaved his head, fell to the ground, and worshipped. 21 He said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb; naked I will return there. The LORD has given; the LORD has taken; bless the LORD’s name.” 22 In all this, Job didn’t sin or blame God.
Good Morning, This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This passage is the beginning of Job’s trials. It is important to note his response to all of the horrible news that just arrived: Job humbled himself and worshiped God.
It is difficult to imagine receiving so much horrific news at one time. It is hard to handle one calamity, let alone multiple ones. What do you do in that first moment when you learn of great sorrow? Is your first instinct to worship and thank God? Probably not. As Christians, we should find our way there eventually but in the initial moment we are likely to experience many human emotions: rage, anger, heartache, or numbness . . .
Jesus tells us to turn over everything to God and we will be comforted. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us three areas where we can know God's will: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Job endures great heartache and hardships, yet he continues to bless God. Job understandably questions and argues with God as a result of what he considers unjust, but he never rejects God. Through Job’s experiences, we learn that it is okay to ask questions and to state your own convictions, but that God’s ways are not our ways and we must humble ourselves and submit ourselves to God’s will. God loves us and will care for us even in our bleakest times.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Our lives are often challenging. When we face hardships, O Lord, we struggle to thank You. Help Us! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will find ways to worship God today, even in my struggles.
Give thanks to God! Pastor Liz
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