{{item.title | uppercase}}

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

God gives and takes away.

It’s a harsh reality.

He GIVES

And

He TAKES away.

Recently I went to the home-going service of a twenty-nine-year-old, mother of three, who’s children were twenty-two months, three years, and five years old. It was a very unexpected death. She woke up to a normal day, but didn’t feel well. At some point during the day, she lay down to take a nap with her youngest children, but never woke up.

God gave her parents twenty-nine years with her.

He gave her husband and her children far less.

She was a wonderful mom and a bright light for the world, with a smile for everyone. Yet, God gave and took away.

Many people might argue that it is not God who “takes away”, but the enemy. While the Bible is clear the enemy tries to kill, steal, and destroy, it is also clear that God knows our days. He numbered them and He ordains them. He is the giver of life and the one who sees from beginning to end, throughout the sands of time.

He knew the number of days I would be married, because He knew the exact day my husband had a divine appointment with Him. He was not surprised to see my beloved, since He ordained the very moment. Thus, I have a choice to make, to believe My Father chose it and all things will work together for the good, or to believe He was mean, mad at me, or wanted to punish me for some reason.

The Bible says, He is the giver of all good things.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James 1:7 ESV

God is not a cosmic bully, any more than He is a cosmic bellboy. He does not punish us, although He may correct us, as any good Father would. Nor is He at our beck and call, to bring us anything we ask for, although He longs to give us good gifts that serve Him and His will for us, instead of only serving our flesh and our own selfish desires.

He is a creator, a redeemer, a restorer. In the midst of the valley of the shadow of death, these things are sometimes hard to remember. No matter the level of difficulty, it is still the ultimate truth.

God gives and takes away but He loves us more than we can ever imagine, and He is with us, always.

God, please be gentle with us, as we lean into You and seek Your face. Comfort us, and bring us hope, as we rest in Your arms and under the shadow of Your wings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.