The Lord Giveth...

As too many of us well know, when we experience loss – loss of a dream; loss of an ideal; or most heartbreaking, the loss of a loved one – we can often feel as though a part of us has died as well.  A vital part of us has turned to ash – turned to dust.

When those moments hit, I think of how God, our Great Creator, formed man from dust and breathed His breath of life into him.  As I write, I see some of you in my mind’s eye and pray you would invite God to breathe His breath of life into the dust of your loss and discover how He can create profound beauty from the ash of the pain you now bear.

Job experienced stunning loss – all his possessions, all his wealth, all his children – his physical well-being and his good standing in his community.  His response was, “…The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord!”  The Word records how Job remained faithful to God, and as a result, was blessed many times over.  I have experienced great loss in my life, but this I have found true over and over again: 

Yes, the Lord taketh, but

He giveth and giveth and giveth all the more!

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

 

Acts 17:24-25

God, who made the world and everything in it, since

He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not  well in temples made with hands.  

Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since

He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

 

Suggested Prayer

Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew;

that I may love what Thou dost love and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure;

until with Thee I will one will to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am wholly Thine;

till all this earthly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die;

but live with Thee the perfect life of Thine eternity.

In Jesus name, I pray…Amen!

Hymn by Edwin Hatch & Robert Jackson