When worshiping amidst calamity

“Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised’.” (Job 1:20-21 GW)

 Job lost everything yet praised God

 In a series of one horrific disaster after another Job lost everything he had, including his children. He even lost his health and was blamed for all his problems by his friends. To top it all off, his wife told him to “curse God and die”. In the midst of his great loss and grief, Job did something remarkable; he worshipped God and said, “The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised.” Job recognized God as his creator, provider and the final authority, no matter what should happen to him. This attitude pleased God. Eventually his health returned and God blessed him with twice what he had lost. 

Believing that God is the Lord

“You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them.” (Neh. 9:6)

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.

“But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” (Isa. 66:2)

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” (Col. 1:16)

“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” (John 1:3)

God the creator is worthy of our worship and praise

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” (Rev. 4:11)

“O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” (Isa. 37:16)

Therefore…

“Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)

“Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens!” (Psalm 147:2-5)

Quote:

“Stay strong! Your test will become your test-imony, your mess will become your mess-age.” - Max Lucado