February 22

“What? Should we accept only good things from the hand of God–and never anything bad?” — Job 2:10

So often weak faith is moved from its steadfastness, by trials. People say, “God cannot love me–or he would not send this affliction upon me!” Job’s answer, however, shows nobler faith. We take good, earthly good, from God’s hands. We believe that God loves us–so long as he showers upon us favors, and gives us pleasant things, joys and prosperities. Very well. But when he changes the form of his providence, and gives us troubles instead of favors, should we conclude that he no longer loves us?

In the case of the change in his treatment of Job–we are permitted to look within the heart of God, to learn what his feelings were, and we see that he had never loved his servant more than when he was allowing him to suffer so sorely!

At the close of the first trial, Job said, “The Lord gave–and the Lord has taken away.” The same Lord who gave—took away! Yes, and the same love! God knows best, what we need any particular day, and what will most advance the kingdom of Christ; and we ought to trust him so implicitly, so unquestioningly, that whether he gives a new favor–or takes one away; whether he grants us our request–or withholds it; whether he bestows upon us earthly good–or causes us to suffer loss and adversity—we shall still believe and say, “God loves me, and he is blessing me!”

“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return! The Lord gave–and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” Job 1:21