“The Lord gives…”

Job 1:21 NKJV — And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Job was a righteous man, who had a profound perspective.

Job 2:10 NKJV — But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Both these recorded words, as well as his actions, shows the truth he had built his faith upon:

God is Sovereign.

and

He deserves all our worship.

It’s been said, that the character of a person is revealed when they are “squeezed” by life’s circumstances.

Job’s character is clear:

Job 1:8 NKJV — Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

God knew his integrity from the beginning and after this extreme trial, He reveals Himself to Job in a way He’d not done before.

Job 42:1-3 NKJV — Then Job answered the LORD and said:“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

Because Job held fast to his integrity, he came through the trial with a far greater understanding of God Almighty.

Job 42:4-6 NKJV — Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

He also had a better understanding of himself.

Would Job’s incredible journey be yours or mine if we were put to the test this way?

Would we hold fast to the truths Job did and find a clearer understanding of both God and ourselves?

Or would we fall prey to the sins of Job’s friends?

Determined in their beliefs that God never allows bad things to happen to “good” people, they accused Job of sin over and over, demanding him to confess and repent, without any evidence of wrong doing.

They jumped to a conclusion based upon their faulty understanding of God.

But God used this circumstance to teach both Job and his friends.

Job 42:7-9NKJV — And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job.

“If God is good, why do bad things happen?”

Humanity has been asking this question for generations.

Sometimes, it is a consequence of sin.

Sometimes, it’s our faulty perspective, assuming something is “bad” when it’s actually a blessing.

Other times, it’s a test or trial, filled with opportunity from the Lord for understanding and growth.

Let us, each one, come before the Lord with humility and seek Him, asking that He reveal our hearts to us and instruct us in truth.

“Do I believe God is Sovereign?”

“Do I believe He is worthy of all praise?”

“Do I respond as Job, with humility and worship when facing loss?”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Job’s story and how much there is to glean from it. Lord Jesus, please help me to cling to Your truths, to be steadfast in my integrity before You. Lord, I want to walk as Job did. I want to be faithful through every circumstance. Lord, I want to seek You in all things, praising You continually with a thankful heart. Lord, I am weak and often I fail to give You the trust and worship You deserve. Please forgive me. Lord, I want to do better. Thank You for today, another opportunity to choose to walk with You. May my life reflect Your Word. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Astonishing faith

And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
Genesis 22:8 NKJV

This passage of scripture where God tests Abraham is riveting.

The chapter begins by telling us God was testing Abraham.

Then God tells Abraham that he is to take Isaac to a mountain range and, on a mount He would show him, offer Isaac as a burnt offering.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Genesis 22:3 NKJV

The Bible doesn’t record a single thing on Abraham’s side other than his action.

He rose early to obey the Lord.

Scriptures tell us Abraham loved Isaac, so this wasn’t about a lack of affection between father and son.

It was because of Abraham’s great love for his son that he was being tested.

When they reach the place Abraham told his servants:

And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
Genesis 22:5 NKJV

Abraham is going to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering, but he knows God’s promise for Isaac and we see in his words his faith that God would follow through on His promise even if he has to sacrifice Isaac.

Abraham’s faith is seen again in his words to Isaac.

But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
Genesis 22:7‭-‬8 NKJV

Abraham trusted God to fulfill His Word, no matter the circumstances.

So much so that his hand was raised to kill his son as he understood God to direct him when God stepped in.

But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Genesis 22:11‭-‬12 NKJV

Abraham passed the test.

Nothing and no one was more important to Abraham than following God.

Not even his son, whom he loved.

And because of his devotion to God, his test is a foreshadowing of Jesus, God’s Son, who was sacrificed to pay for all the sins of the world.

John 3:16-17, Gal. 1:4, Luke 24: 25-27 (just a few examples)

The astonishing faith of Abraham, who had never seen or heard of anyone rising from the dead, is inspiring.

Abraham knew God would fulfill His promise through Isaac, as He had said, and no circumstance, not even death would change that.

This was definitely a memorable moment.

No wonder the mount became renamed:

And Abraham called the name of the place, The- Lord -Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
Genesis 22:14 NKJV

Such treasures to be gleaned from Abraham’s faith and devotion to God Almighty!

What an incredible story to see God spare Isaac and to realize He instead provided His own Son.

What amazing love shines forth through this!

And it’s attainable today.

God still loves now just as much as He did then.

He loves every single one of us equally.

We know this, because Jesus died for all.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this astonishing story. Thank You for Abraham’s example to us. Please help me to live in the same way, unwavering faith, incredible devotion, and quick obedience to Your Word. Lord, thank You for sacrificing Yourself for us. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You for Your Word, which guides and hones my heart. Please continue to teach me, that I might not sin against You. May Your name be glorified! Amen.

Nothing severe

Anne has been feeling better.

Praise the Lord!

When she decided to bake mini apple pies from the abundance of apples in our yard,

I gave her the thumbs up.

She loves baking.

Infact, she’s spoken of her desire to learn all she can when it comes to cakes, pastries, and other baked goods.

This summer she has truly enjoyed her time working a few hours each week at the bakery and restaurant where we lived.

It was a sad moment when I had to tell her to quit due to her declining health.

She’s not giving up on learning to bake.

And I’m not giving up on learning what has caused her health problems.

Infact her allergy screening was yesterday afternoon.

It’s a bit more than an hour to the doctor’s office and I enjoyed the time together.

I knew she was nervous.

Trying to reassure her,

I had spoken of my experience last December.

I’d packed a book to read aloud.

She had brought homework.

I felt prepared.

But I wasn’t.

Anne was laying down.

Her back was carefully numbered.

Under each was a scratch where the allergen had been administered.

As Anne quizzed me,

I felt at a loss as to how to respond.

“Well? What am I allergic to? Can you tell?”

Although marked,

nothing stood out as a reaction.

Her body wasn’t revealing any allergies.

Not being a medical professional,

I suggested we wait to see what the nurse said.

I resumed my reading.

The nurse returned and confirmed there wasn’t anything she was showing an allergy to.

Then she informed us that Anne would need to undergo another test.

Shots.

Eight of them.

Anne doesn’t like shots.

At all.

But after hearing this the nurse spoke with the doctor who decided to only test Anne with five.

Neither of us had expected shots,

but I watched, silently prayed,

and tried to give courage as she received five shots in one arm.

More waiting to see what her body would do.

The doctor came in and checked on her as well as the nurse.

At last the time was up.

“Nothing severe.”

I looked, almost with unbelief, as the doctor repeated.

“Nothing severe. She doesn’t have any real allergies, just a very mild one to dust mites.”

I wanted to sing and shout for joy!

I wanted to dance and praise the Lord!

Instead, I sat quietly listening to the doctor explain what we could do to manage Anne’s asthma and treat what allergy symptoms she might have.

We left and I still couldn’t display my joy and relief.

Anne was glad too.

But she couldn’t grasp and I couldn’t express my joy.

Since my own allergy screening revealed a severe allergy to dust mites as well as allergies to cats and dogs, plus other lesser allergens, I’ve had to look at life completely differently.

When the doctor looked me in the eye and said,

“You shouldn’t have pets”,

I realized my lifestyle was never going to be the same.

And we’ve made the changes which my health has required.

Our two cats have new homes.

Rose now lives with my mother on the ranch.

(Which is closer to Bell, so she gets to visit her often.)

And it is worth it.

I’m actually up doing things.

I was able to drive to the doctor’s, be there three hours, drive back to the city, buy groceries and then drive home, to unpack and help put away.

Even a month ago I couldn’t have done that much.

So when I heard Anne isn’t severely allergic to anything I couldn’t have been happier.

It means her future will be more flexible and her lifestyle can look different than mine.

And I’m so thankful.

Not to be misunderstood.

I’m not upset I have allergies.

I know God is in control,

even of that.

But I am thrilled beyond measure,

that Anne

has

nothing severe.

It’s a test.

“It’s a test.”

“I know, but it makes no sense!”

Frustration was in every fold, each line and feature.

“It’s a test.”

Child, jaw tight, pencil in a choke-hold, lip quivering…

“Take a deep breath. Try to calm down. Just do your best.”

My heart ached.

I want to help, but giving the answers doesn’t show what the child knows.

A test is to help both child and adult see what has been learned and what needs to be taught again.

For me,

I know God is well aware of what I know.

The test is to show me what I still need to learn.

Nope.

It isn’t fun.

Yep.

I have been the frustrated child on more than one occasion.

But just like my heart aches for the youngster, God’s heart is even more compassionate.

Yet He loves me enough to teach me, to show me where I’m lacking, to bring to my awareness a lesson which needs review or a weakness in an application.

And tests teach trust.

I know God is testing me, but He’s also teaching me.

He’s right beside me.

He’s reminding me of what I’ve already learned, what I already know, and

He’s promising to continue my education.

There’s always more to learn about Him, myself, those around me, and life.

And whether I realize I’m in a test or not I can praise God for Who He is.

“Praise You Lord! What an incredible teacher You are.”