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When Your World Crashes

Job 1:13-22

From The Pastor Devotionals – Temple Baptist Church in Montreal

Who would not want to be as happy, prosperous and successful as Job? Most people would have to spend a lifetime to even come close to what Job had.

Job was a good and prosperous man and he had a great family: seven sons and three daughters. He was healthy and wealthy. Who wouldn’t want his life?

But, one day Job’s world crashed around him! Enemies stole all his oxen and killed those caring for them. His sheep and shepherds were killed by lightning. The Chaldeans stole his camels and killed their keepers. His sons and daughters died in a storm. He was left with nothing! All his castles tumbled.

But one thing remained standing: Job’s faith. It was unshaken: “Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head and worshiped God.” (verse 20) Even though everything around him had disappeared, his faith was still solid. Job said: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (verse 21)

How could Job respond this way? It was neither logical nor natural! Let’s look at some of the reasons.

Job saw the Lord as the source of life

He said, “The Lord gave,” understanding that all life comes from God. Job knew and appreciated the time he had spent with his children was a gift from God to him and to the children. All the good times, all the fun times, all the family together times . . .

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17 ) God is the great giver and His greatest gift was His Son.

Job saw the Lord as sovereign over the length of life

He said: “The Lord has taken away.” There are two surprising things about life: its shortness when death seems near and its length when the future seems sure.

“Our breath is in God’s hands.” (Daniel 5:23) Job understood that life is short at its longest. It is important to be right with God in all circumstances. Although Job did not understand what was happening or why, his faith made him strong.

Job saw the Lord as the same no matter what

He said: “May the name of the Lord be praised.”It is easy to bless the name of the Lord when things are going well. It is easy to thank God when the family stays together. But Job was able to bless God when his castles tumbled and his world collapsed around him. He continued blessing God even when his health suffered.

Job did not understand but he spoke by faith. He lost everything he had but he said: “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”God had been faithful in the past; why should Job doubt the goodness of God now? His castles may have tumbled but God was still standing! Job knew that God’s love is unchanging.

Have things gone badly for you? Do you feel as if some of your castles have tumbled? God loves you in spite of your circumstances.

The Cross proves God’s unchanging love. If, for any reason, you doubt God’s love, look at the Cross. Christ died there for us because of His love. God loves you as you are and wants to help you. Bring your broken dreams and sins to Him today.

Pastor Joseph Hovsepian