Scripture taken from Job 1:13-22.
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
As I lay in bed tonight, I started thinking about some insurance agents who are struggling because some insurance companies in have stopped writing business. Some of these companies came into the state like gangbusters and allowed many risks to be written with their company, not taking in account the massive ensuing claims that would follow. These massive claims have affected the profitability of the insurance company. Some companies have pulled out of the state. Other companies have paused writing new insurance for several months. And then some companies have terminated agents and have non-renewed the terminated agents book of business.
These measures may seem extreme for the general public, but they may be necessary to stop the hemorrhage that is occurring where insurance companies are not profitable and may possibly be dipping deep into their reserves. This ultimately leads to higher rates for the consumer.
But let us get back to these insurance agents. Some agents are struggling and panicking. I think the reason why is that they have wrapped everything up into their business that they forgot to include God. God may not be a part of their lives. They may not have a personal relationship with Jesus. When things get tough, they have no where to turn.
As for me, I am a business owner. I am already a survivor. At one point in my life, I lost everything. But God did not forsake me. God brought me out of the ashes and helped me to become successful in my business. It wasn’t easy, but Christ Jesus paved the way. And I give Christ Jesus all the glory and honor.
Look at Job. He lost everything including his sons and daughters. They were killed. But instead of Job screaming at God, he fell down on his knees and worshipped God. Then he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job was definitely a survivor and he knew where his wealth came from. But when God allowed Satan to take everything away from him, Job knew that although he was broke, God still received his praise and adoration.
Later on, we know that Job was restored by God. In our own walk with Christ Jesus, we can easily lose what God has given us. We are to praise Him for all of our circumstances regardless of whether we lose everything. To God be the glory.
My business is not really mine. It belongs to God. I am just the steward of God’s business. If He chooses to take it away, I know that the Lord will take care of our needs. It is my prayer that you too would have a relationship with the Father, where you can say, the Lord gave and the Lord took away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you will help me to make you the center of my life. I give my all to you to do with as you wish. I pray that Jesus will come into my life and I will make Him Lord of my life. Even if you give and take away, help me to say, “Blessed is the name of the Lord.” I place all my trust and faith in you!
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Written by Joseph T Lee for Marketplace Evangelism Ministries Inc. All rights reserved. January 21, 2024.
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