Job 32-35: Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

In light of the events of the past few days in Joplin and other parts of the Midwest, some of the discussions between Job and his friends seem frivolous.  Like much of our worship today, there is a little too much "I" this and "I" in their conversations to really address the scope of the issue.

Job has lost everything, his house, his car, his church, his hospital, his school, all of his children, everything but his wife, and his friends have been trying to convince him that he must have done something wrong to deserve that.

How would the citizens of Joplin respond to those words of encouragement?  It's easy to be the accuser when you still have everything that you consider most precious.  It's a different story when you look out at the devastation that surrounds you.  The only response one can have is that which Job uttered when a messenger told him that,:
 " And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee."
   Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
    And said, 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.   - Job 1:19-21 KJV

We all start with nothing and end with nothing.  Everything we have in between is a blessing from the Lord.  God gives and takes away.  He gives good things and sometimes he takes away those very same good things.  But in every circumstance, the declaration of our heart should be like Job's.  'Blessed be the name of the Lord.'

2010 Post - Job 32-35: Wise Beyond Years