Faith like Job

Hey guys

I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about today, but I think my reading lately is going to take me sort of where I was hoping to go. I've been in the book of Job for the last few days. It's kind of a depressing book, especially the first few chapters. We learn that Job has been incredibly blessed - he has all kinds of land and livestock - and that life is just really good in general for him. Satan wants God to see that if he takes those things away from Job, that Job will turn away from God. So God allows Satan to take everything away from him - family included. However, Job does not respond as Satan expected. Job does get upset but he keeps his faith in God and refuses to blame Him for it.

We need to be more like Job. God blesses each and every one of us; however, sometimes bad things happen. What we can't do is blame God; He has our best interests at heart. Sometimes He works in funny ways, but we need to remember, as in Romans 8:28, that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him," and that even if we can't see the direction He's going to take things, it doesn't mean He's not going to take it in a direction that will ultimately benefit us. Next time things seem hard for you, or like you got the short straw, remember Romans 8:28 and just keep trusting in God.

P.S. I have a prayer request for everyone. Zach Gabbard, a basketball player from Perham (MN), collapsed at a basketball game a little over a week ago. He went unconscious and his heart stopped for a while as well. After some treatment at Sanford in Fargo, he stabilized enough to be transferred to the U of MN Medical Center in Minneapolis. He's still in a coma and doctors are unsure what the problem is. Please keep him, his family, and his doctors in your prayers.