Devotional God Gives and Does Not Take Back

… The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21 NKJ)

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God had given to me the best things in life in the past, but now He has taken it back because I have not been faithful walking with Him.

My job was God-given, but now He has taken it away, perhaps, because I have disobeyed or failed Him in some areas of my life.

My friend, if you believe that God is the One who gives (good things) and takes back, you believe wrongly!

Job was mistaken in believing his misfortune came from God. In reality, it was Satan who took away Job’s loved ones, property and health (Job 1:8-2:7). God was the One who blessed Job’s latter days with much more (Job 42:12-17).

Whether we are facing problems with our health, finances, career or grieving over the loss of someone, know that God understands what we are going through and He cares for us. He loves us so much He gave His Son to die on the cross so that through Jesus’ finished work, we can have all the blessings He died to give us.

Help us, dear Lord, to change our misconception of Your love for us to think that it is conditional. Remind us when we are in doubt that You loved us so much, You bore all our wrongdoings and died on the cross to save us, so that today we can cry out, "Abba Father, thank You for loving us, and for giving us Your Son.

 

[suspensewriter]

I understand your sentiment, but what do you think about the Old Testament when the Lord took things away from those who disobeyed him? I have to admit I'm still studying this issue among many others! It was before Christ came into the world, but God is always consistent. So I'm wondering how you understand it.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

Even while the blessing from God was in their mouths... they fell dead - because they had complained about his man Moses.

They had become consumers of God's blessings and did not pay Him or His word any notice.

 

[Guard Your Heart]

Job was mistaken in believing his misfortune came from God. In reality, it was Satan who took away Job’s loved ones, property and health (Job 1:8-2:7).

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Thank you for this interesting point of view. ‘“The phrase 'the Lord gives and the Lord takes away’ is a quote from Job 1:21, where Job praises God despite losing his family and possessions. However, this phrase does not necessarily reflect the true character of God, who is loving and does not arbitrarily take away blessings from his people. Rather, God may allow or remove certain things in our lives for our good and his glory, and we should trust him in all circumstances.” [1]

The Bible teaches God is sovereign and ultimately the One allowing “trials and temptations” to come upon us. Though God is not the author of evil, He will allow it for the purpose of establishing you and me in the faith. In 1 Peter we find, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV). This verse speaks to our testing and suffering, a needed trial much like we see in Job’s test of suffering. God gave permission to the enemy to sift the heart of Job through rigors of deep anguish and sorrow. God allowed the trial and in this “vein of thought,” God’s perfect will for Job.

What is more, we too are tested. God uses any number of ways to prove our faith is real. Each of us has a story.

[1] (Gives and the lord Takes away - Search (bing.com)

Blessings to you!

GYH