“Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, ‘I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!’ In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” – Job 1:20-22
Over the past few days, we’ve been talking about Job, a man faithful to God and very blessed by God. Satan believed that Job was only faithful because God was good to him, but swore if God took away those blessings, Job would run in the other direction. So God allowed Satan to tempt Job.
Soon after that conversation, this very good man experienced tremendous suffering in his life. He had four major catastrophes in his story. Job quickly lost everything he had! His children were killed…his fortune was gone…fire burned up his sheep…the oxen, camels, and donkeys were all taken away…
At this point, Satan had to be thinking, “This is it! I’ve wiped him out! Job is finally about to curse God!” And yet, after all that, Job 1:20 says, “Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, ‘I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!’ In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”
He passed the test. He didn’t blame God for what had happened, but he remained faithful to the Lord. We asked this question yesterday: would you pass the test? Is your service to God based on the blessings He gives you? Or are you devoted to Him through thick and thin?
We have discussed recently how God has a purpose for everything He does. But are we too busy blaming God to find that purpose? When times get tough and your life isn’t “what it used to be” or it isn’t “what you wanted it to be,” do you blame God?
Job was stripped of everything he had, and yet, he still worshipped God. Whatever is happening in your life, no matter what level it gets to, blaming God is never the solution. Seek to find His purpose and praise Him as you wait to learn His will.