Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Restoring Christ
Job 42:10-17
Vs 10b “...the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.”
When I was a kid, I enjoyed the ending of a movie because it showed everything will be alright. The characters will go through some hardships in the middle but it will all come to an end. In this passage, we see an happy ending for Job’s sufferings. Job, having lost everything, is restored back his material possessions and his family. Besides that, he was also restored spiritually.
Material Restoration - Job was a wealthy man with cattle, land, and a great family. When Satan questioned Job’s faithfulness, God allowed Satan to take away everything that was precious to him. In our daily life, we are always trying to keep our assets and treasure close to ourselves. We work hard, earn and make sure that we live a comfortable life. We live as if we know what the future holds. However, Job’s suffering is a reminder to us that whatever we plan, things can go out of our control. Through it all, God is sovereign. In suffering, we are tested of our faithfulness. Job’s patience and faithfulness in his suffering led him to reap the rewards. It says that “...Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (v. 10)
Spiritual Restoration - The torment of going through loss, rejection, accusations for no cause is really traumatic. Job’s suffering can never be diminished because he was afflicted both mentally and physically. Even though God considers him as a blameless and upright person, he had his phases of doubts, anxieties, and frustrations. As a Christian, we all go through these phases. We are living in a world that is broken on many fronts. We live in a world that is filled with evil and we ourselves have committed sins in the sight of God. Often we grope for answers to the question “why we suffer”? Job did not receive the answer to his frustrations but was reminded to humble himself and get to know God. He sought God’s forgiveness and his life was transformed. When we know God intimately, we will be restored in spirit and be able to battle any situations that we will face.
Job’s story has a happy ending but it is not necessary that we will all receive the same
blessing. God, in his abundant mercy and wisdom, has put us in this world for his divine plan. 1 Peter 5:10 states that “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” We are restored through Jesus’ death and resurrection. We may not always find the answers to our problems but we can be assured that God is in control and whatever we lost for the sake of his kingdom will be restored to us...in this life or the one to come.
Material Restoration - Job was a wealthy man with cattle, land, and a great family. When Satan questioned Job’s faithfulness, God allowed Satan to take away everything that was precious to him. In our daily life, we are always trying to keep our assets and treasure close to ourselves. We work hard, earn and make sure that we live a comfortable life. We live as if we know what the future holds. However, Job’s suffering is a reminder to us that whatever we plan, things can go out of our control. Through it all, God is sovereign. In suffering, we are tested of our faithfulness. Job’s patience and faithfulness in his suffering led him to reap the rewards. It says that “...Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (v. 10)
Spiritual Restoration - The torment of going through loss, rejection, accusations for no cause is really traumatic. Job’s suffering can never be diminished because he was afflicted both mentally and physically. Even though God considers him as a blameless and upright person, he had his phases of doubts, anxieties, and frustrations. As a Christian, we all go through these phases. We are living in a world that is broken on many fronts. We live in a world that is filled with evil and we ourselves have committed sins in the sight of God. Often we grope for answers to the question “why we suffer”? Job did not receive the answer to his frustrations but was reminded to humble himself and get to know God. He sought God’s forgiveness and his life was transformed. When we know God intimately, we will be restored in spirit and be able to battle any situations that we will face.
Job’s story has a happy ending but it is not necessary that we will all receive the same
blessing. God, in his abundant mercy and wisdom, has put us in this world for his divine plan. 1 Peter 5:10 states that “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” We are restored through Jesus’ death and resurrection. We may not always find the answers to our problems but we can be assured that God is in control and whatever we lost for the sake of his kingdom will be restored to us...in this life or the one to come.
PRAYER
Gracious Father, we thank you that you have given us this life. Help us to humble ourselves in your presence daily. When we face struggles, we will seek you and find our strength. We pray that you restore us in our brokenness and mend our hearts to receive the joy of your salvation. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God's promise of restoration is the hope for us as we go through the struggles of life.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
God's promise of restoration is the hope for us as we go through the struggles of life.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church