Read Job 1:6-19
Yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting ... when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead." Job 1:18-19
In one day, Job was stripped of his wealth. One after another, four frightened messengers reported that five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and three thousand camels were stolen in enemy raids; seven thousand sheep were struck by lightning and killed; and all ten of his children were killed in a windstorm (vv. 13-19).
Job knew what had happened, but he did not know why it had happened, and that is the crux of the matter. Because the author allows us to visit the throne room of heaven and hear God and Satan speak, we know who caused the destruction and why he was allowed to cause it (vv. 6-12). But if we did not have this insight, we would probably take the same approach as Job's friends and blame Job for the tragedy.
Several important truths emerge from this scene, not the least of which is that God is sovereign in all things. He is on the throne of heaven, the angels do His will and report to Him, and even Satan can do nothing to God's people without God's permission. "The Almighty" is one of the key names for God in Job; it is used thirty-one times. From the outset, the writer reminds us that, no matter what happens in this world and in our lives, God is on the throne and has everything under control. We may not know until we get to heaven why God allowed certain things to happen. Meanwhile, we walk by faith and say with Job, "May the name of the LORD be praised" (v. 21).
Applying God's Truth:
If the devastating events of Job's life happened to you today, what do you think you would do? Be specific.
How would these events make you feel about God? (Be truthful.)
When you get to heaven, what is one thing you would like to ask God about?
Devotions for Patience and Wholeness ©2005 by Dr. Warren Wiersbe. Used by permission of David C Cook. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.