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1 Then Job answered the Lord: 2 "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 "Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 "Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.' 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." 10 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends; and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. 12 The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children, and his children's children, four generations. 17 And Job died, old and full of days. (Job 42:1-6, 10-17 The Message Bible)
As a ministerial family, like most, we traveled a lot. Many were the Saturday nights that found us on either Highways 281 or 77; and all in the days before satellite radio; we found the radio stations that could come in loud and clear for miles. One of the shows that came to be among my favorites was A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the helm. Garrison has a unique voice and is quite the storyteller. Garrison is now 82 and still touring widely, doing a 90 minute set of things that relate to his age and to most in his audiences. He is quite the relfective thinker and a lot of what he muses about concern his making peace with God and his journey. A lot of us in a certain age can and do relate with that agenda.
Enter Job and his journey and challenges with God, Satan, and life. A lot has happened since we first met him to the passage we just read. Our brother in the faith has had a profound transformation in both Job's understanding of God and his personal journey. After enduring immense suffering and loss, Job finally encounters the Almighty, recognizing his own limitations in the face of divine wisdom. As should we; but let's see what three things we can apply to our lives:
1. Humility Before God In Job 42:1-3, Job responds to God’s challenge with humility. He admits, “I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.” This declaration highlights Job’s realization of God’s sovereignty and omnipotence. When we face hardships, it can be tempting to question God’s purpose. However, true wisdom comes when we recognize that we may not understand His ways but can trust in His goodness.
2. Repentance and Restoration Job's repentance in verse 6 indicates a shift in his heart. He acknowledges his previous misunderstandings about God’s nature. This moment of repentance is not merely an admission of guilt but an expression of a renewed relationship with God. It is a powerful reminder that our struggles can lead to deeper intimacy with the Lord if we approach Him with a humble and repentant heart.
3. God’s Faithfulness and Restoration In verses 10-17, we see God’s incredible grace. After Job’s prayer for his friends, God restores his fortunes, giving him double what he had before. This narrative shows that while suffering is a part of life, it is not the end of the story. God’s restoration often exceeds our expectations. The blessings that follow Job’s suffering remind us that God is both merciful and faithful, ready to restore and bless those who turn to Him.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the lessons we learn through Job’s story. Help us to approach You with humility, recognizing Your sovereign power over our lives. May we embrace our struggles as opportunities to grow closer to You, and trust in Your unfailing love and restoration. Guide us to be instruments of Your grace in the lives of others. In Jesus’ strong name we pray, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect on your current challenges and seek God's perspective on them. Spend time in prayer, asking Him for understanding and trust, and look for ways to bless others as a testimony of His faithfulness in your life.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
