August 18, 2022 Daily Dose of Discernment

“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.” (Job 1:21)

God is the giver, not the taker of life. Jesus came to a dying world so that men may have abundant life. It’s somebody else who steals, kills and destroys. The Book of Wisdom says God did not invent death, nor does He delight in the death of the living. When He created us, He did not intend for us to die; He made us like Himself. It was the devil's jealousy that brought death into the world (Wisdom 1:13, 2:23-24). It would be grossly cruel and uncharacteristic of God to bless men with children and then take their lives after. What He does take away is the sin of the world, because sin, when full-grown, brings forth death (James 1:15).

In the heat of the moment, Job said things he later regretted. “I spoke of things I did not understand. Therefore, I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:3-6; see also The Message translation)

God doesn’t give and take away. He just gives, and only what is good and pertains to life. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!