Job 42:10b-11 The Lord restored his (Job) prosperity and doubled his previous possessions. All his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances came to his house and dined with him in his house. They offered him sympathy and comfort concerning all the adversity the Lord had brought on him. Each one gave him a qesitah (monetary unit), and a gold earring.

The book of Job details the account of a man of integrity who feared God and turned away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. Job was a rich man and he had much livestock.

In Job chapter 1 (verses 6-16), the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came with them. The Lord asked satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan’s reply, “From roaming through the earth.” Then the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, but stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face. The Lord in response told satan, “Everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job himself.”

So the enemy went out from the Lord’s presence and struck Job’s sons and daughters, his livestock, and his servants.

Job was stripped of pretty much everything. When I read this story, I can’t fathom the excruciating pain and the heartache he experienced at the loss of his children, servants, and possessions. Although the enemy came against Job with full force, he couldn’t strip Job of his faith in God. Yes, Job did complain and questioned God, but he held on to his faith in the midst of his horrific storm. He didn’t understand what God was doing or why this was all happening, but he didn’t renounce his faith. What the enemy didn’t realize was that God’s strength was made perfect in Job’s weakness. And He that is in Job is greater than he who is in the world.

Personally, my faith has been tested and tried too, but not in this capacity. In the midst of it all, the Lord has graciously restored back to me what I have lost. And, I’m already stepping into the very fruit of my blessings. I’m experiencing God’s restoration and redemptive power over my life. What the enemy meant for evil, God has turned around for my good (Genesis 50:20). The Lord continues to give me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that I may be a tree of righteousness planted by the Lord that He may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3).

God will always have the last word and not man.

Maybe the enemy has stripped you of something: possibly, the loss of a job, the ending of a relationship, or the sudden passing of a loved one. These things can be heart wrenching and cause us to question our faith. My encouragement to you is to not lose heart nor walk away from the Lord. Instead, remain steadfast and cling tightly to Him. In His arms, you will find true comfort and divine healing for your hurting heart. God is the God of all comfort and He will mend your broken heart while bringing restoration and peace to your soul.

What the enemy meant for evil, He will turn around for your good.

Isaiah 54:17a No weapon formed against you will succeed.

It’s hard to see through stormy weather, but God sees everything and He will be with you. He Himself will bring you through the storm. Nothing is impossible for Him. The Lord is Faithful and He loves you very much. He will never leave you nor forsake you. All of our circumstances serve a higher purpose.

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

God wants to fix what’s broken in our lives and make things brand new again. In Job’s life, the Lord brought beauty from the ashes and restored back to him what he lost in greater ways. And I believe that the Lord wants to bless us in like manner. The Almighty, the Great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, our GREAT GOD wants to open up the windows of heaven and pour each of us out a blessing that we don’t have room enough to receive. Will you open up your hands and receive what He has in store for you? He’s an Ephesians 3:20 God and the God of Restoration!

Job 42:12-13 So the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the earlier. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters.

Job 42:16-17 Job lived 140 years after this and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. Then Job died, old and full of days.

Joel 2:25-27 I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you. You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied. You will praise the name of Yahweh your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame. You will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame.