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Daily Inspirational Devotionals
Seeking Health and Wealth “Have you noticed my servant Job?” (Job 1:8) “Have you noticed my servant Job?” God said to Satan. “He is the finest man in all the earth—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil” (Job 1:8). Most of us can only dream of such a glowing endorsement. Especially from the One who can see right into the core of our heart. And Satan’s response shows that he understands something about the human heart as well. Satan the Accuser replied, “Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (Job 1:9-11). Job’s integrity brought him into the favor of God, and because of it, he lived a sheltered life. That was Satan’s argument. “Of course he’s good,” Satan was saying. “Because that’s what you pay him for. But cut off his salary, and see how long that lasts.” God allowed Satan to do just that. He took away his wealth and his children, yet still Job remained faithful. But Satan wasn’t through. Again he came to the Lord to test Job further. “Skin for skin,” says Satan, “he blesses you only because you bless him. A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (Job 2:4-5). Again God allowed Satan to test Job. This time he took away his health. Still Job remained faithful. “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” he says to his wife (Job 2:10). In spite of all that had happened, he still trusted God. There is a corner of religion today that can’t seem to wrap their theology around the story of Job. They see all matters of trial and trouble as a sign of God’s displeasure. “Give generously, and God is bound to make you wealthy,” they preach. “Obey him, and he is obligated to keep you healthy.” The theory is not a new one—it originated with Satan in the first two chapters of Job. And it doesn’t hold water today any more than it did back then. Job didn’t serve God for what he could get out of him, and we shouldn’t either. Sometimes bad things happen to very good people, but that doesn’t mean that God isn’t watching. And it doesn’t necessarily mean that we have sinned or displeased him. We live in a fallen world, and sometimes Satan is allowed to test our faith. But by God’s strength, we can all overcome.
Today’s Reading Job 1:8-22 Reflection How often do you find yourself blaming God when bad things happen? How can you remain obedient in spite of trials and troubles?
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The best-selling Left Behind series has captured the attention of millions of readers, and it has changed lives. It has brought millions of believers the motivation to examine their hearts. Are you ready to embrace eternity? Live each moment as if it could be your last? Your future is more important than your past. Where you are going matters more than where you have been. What you do from this day forward means much more than what you have already done. You may be affected by your past, but you are not defined by it. Not in the eyes of God. What does it mean to embrace eternity? It means grasping each breath as if it could be your last, living life moment by precious moment with your feet planted firmly on earth but your heart aimed squarely at heaven. It means learning to embrace the role of dual citizenship—living in one world while belonging to another. It is a lifestyle of living like there’s no tomorrow and then dying so that your real life can finally begin! This 365-day devotional explores the themes introduced in the Left Behind series—themes of salvation, grace, obedience, and faith. New believers as well as mature believers will find a message of faith that will inspire and motivate daily.
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