February 22

“You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. — Job 2:10 BSB

Weak faith is often shaken by trials. People say, “God cannot love me, or He wouldn’t allow this affliction!” Job’s response, however, shows a nobler faith. We accept good things from God’s hand. We believe that God loves us when He showers us with blessings and prosperity. But when He changes the course of His providence and sends us trouble instead of favors, should we conclude that He no longer loves us?

In Job’s situation, we are given insight into God’s heart, and we see that He had never loved His servant more than when He was allowing him to suffer so deeply.

At the end of the first trial, Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” The same Lord who gave—took away! Yes, and with the same love! God knows what we need each day and what will most advance the kingdom of Christ. We should trust Him so completely, so unquestioningly, that whether He gives us a new blessing or takes one away; whether He grants our requests or withholds them; whether He gives us earthly good or allows us to suffer loss, we can still believe and say, “God loves me, and He is blessing me.”

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