13One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14a messenger came to Job and said…

16While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said…

17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said…

18While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said…

20At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

may the name of the LORD be praised.”

Job 1:13-21

With each messenger, a worse calamity, with the last being the death of his children.

Have you ever had a day in which you lamented “What else can go wrong, Lord?”

Or perhaps you’ve had the day when you become gun shy of the ring of the telephone. What more bad news can it bring?

You probably have. I sure have.

But none have been as bad as Job’s bad day. Never within the span of five minutes have I received four separate “messengers” each with a tale of destruction in my life worse than the one before it.

And yet, I’ve found many opportunities to respond much less gloriously than Job. I’m guessing you have, too.

Lord, help me to apprehend the kind of grace that Job had. Help me to meet all calamities (and minor irritations) with the proclamation “May the name of the Lord be praised!”

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