Job 1:21 - The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Commentary

It's interesting that Job, the oldest book in the Bible, is all about suffering and it's purpose. Job wrestles with why bad things happen to good people, but one of the things that keeps his focus intact is the understanding that all of life is a gift from God. The question is not why bad things happen, it's really why good things happen at all! We know that there are things that are good and beautiful, but many times that beauty isn't realized until it's taken away. But Job reminds us that even when life seems to disappear in the dust, that death is a signpost toward the One who loves His creation so much He will reclaim it. For those who follow Jesus Christ, there will come a day when that same God will take us into His arms. May the name of the Lord be praised!

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC

Ecclesiastes 7:14 - When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Commentary

Ecclesiastes is an amazing book of the Bible. The main point of this book is that life without God is an exercise in vanity. We can work very hard over things that bring no real value to our lives. If we think that good circumstances are the validation of our lives, we have set ourselves up for despair when bad circumstances come. Both responses don't give us the perspective needed to know how to proceed in victory or defeat. The person who has been apprehended by God has a perspective that goes far beyond being blessed or experiencing want.

Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC