Devotion: God Is Not Your Problem

Read an interesting story the other day involving a good man who had an incredible reverence for God, so he stayed far away from evil.  He had a huge family consisting of seven sons and three daughters.  He was extremely well off because of the gigantic ranch that he had.  This ranch had all kinds of livestock; including cattle, sheep, and donkeys, just to name a few.  The ranch also employed a great number of people to help him tend to the needs of the ranch.  Some reported that he was the wealthiest man in the entire region.

During one of the many get-togethers that this man’s many children had, tragedy struck his ranch.  One of his employees came running to him and said, “While the fields were being plowed and all the cattle and the donkeys were feeding, a group of rustlers came and took them all away.  They also killed everyone around, except me, who was able to get away.”

And while he was dealing with the news of this tragedy, another of his employees came running to him and said, “Lighting came down from the heavens and struck the sheep and all of the men that were tending them.  It killed them all up except me, who was able to get away.”

And while he was dealing with the news of this tragedy, another of his employees came running to him and said, “Three groups of thieves came and took away all of the other livestock and killed everyone around except me, who was able to get away.”

And while dealing with the news of this tragedy, another of his employees came running to him and said, “While your sons and your daughters were feasting together at the oldest brother's house, a great wind came against the house and it collapsed, killing everyone except me, who was able to get away.”

And with all of this tragedy, the man, who had an incredible reverence for God, fell to the ground, worshipped, and praised God saying, “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 all away, for they were his to take away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  He never sinned nor did he blame God for anything that happened.

Some of you may recognize this story from the Bible, but if not, you can find it in “the first chapter of the book of Job.”  And regardless which of the many interpretations you have accepted as truth; know that Satan was able to call forth two semi-nomadic groups, the Sabeans and the Chaldaeans; and two natural disasters, the fire of God from heaven and a great wind from the wilderness, all in the same day.  But here is one important fact that you need to know pertaining to Job's famous “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” statement.  God says, “his gifts and his call can never be withdrawn; he never goes back on his promises" (Romans 11:29).”  With this revelation, you may want to rethink who actually causes things to happen in your life because “God is not your problem,” but he is the answer.  Trust God.  If this message is a blessing to you, please share it so that others may be blessed by it as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings. - KW