When The Unexpected Happens

There are times in life that really take us by surprise.

Job had peace and wealth. He had many children. They threw parties and enjoyed life.

Job was an amazing father. He would ask God to forgive his children after a get-together, just in case their hearts had gone astray while eating and drinking wine.

Job was living his dream life. He had so much more than he ever needed. He was full of happiness.

But he experienced a lot of loss.

He lost his seven sons and daughters in an awful way. A strong wind blew from across the desert and wrecked the house where they were. He also lost all his livestock – sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys. All his workers were killed. He was stripped of his wealth.

It was so hard to believe what was happening. I don’t know how I would have handled all those sudden tragedies that changed Job. How would you handle Job’s circumstances? Maybe you would cry in outrage. Maybe you would blame God. Look at what Job did.

Job tore his clothes, shaved his head, and mourned over his losses. However, what amazes me about him is that he fell to the ground and worshiped God.

The man had lost everything, yet he still found a place in his heart to honor God. He blessed God. The tragedies he had been through could not move his heart away from God. Job is a wonderful example for you and I to follow. He points us to Jesus who endured rejection and knew he would face the most painful death, and still he spoke to God with reverence, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” (Luke 22:42).

Later, God honors Job with twice as much as he had before. We can trust that the Lord has an incredible reward for us after we’ve endured painful hardships on earth – “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade… kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:4-6).

Father God, I ask you to soften my heart towards you so nothing that I go through in life will ever stand in the way of the respect I have for you.

Throughout The Day: No matter what storms you’re going through, thank God for the way this is changing you to make you more like Jesus. Ponder about how the Holy Spirit can help you follow Jesus’ example as he faced many trials of his own, but kept his eyes fixed on his Father.