SPOILED
May 27, 2022
Prayer: Please remind us to be grateful for what You give us, and especially when the gift is patience or longsuffering because we cannot make it without the fruit of Your Spirit. Amen
Scripture: Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? Job 2:10 NIV
Isaac was an only child, and it showed. In our school population of welfare children, lower middle class families, and an above average number of children living with retired grandparents, he stood out. Isaac had expensive clothes, in abundance. He always had the latest games and playthings. He showed impatience with other children and teachers. When a teacher felt the need to give him a B on his report card instead of an A, his parents would call an interview with the principal. If the issue couldn’t be resolved there, the superintendent’s office would get a call concerning the matter. Everyone could see that Isaac was spoiled.
How many of us have become accustomed to the riches of God’s grace, His bountiful provisions of material things, of position, of education, of health, of friendships and family? We may credit God with all these things, but if they are taken from us, we often become bitter and depressed. Job had a privileged position, a large family, abundance, and good health. God allowed him and his wife to suffer the loss of all these things. Mrs. Job’s response to this loss was to “curse God and die.” She was the spoiled character in that story. Job’s godly response came as a result of his devout faith and a right understanding of God’s goodness.
When God allows us loss, or makes us wait His timing in matters we think should be forthcoming, He reveals just how spoiled we have become. Take stock. Remember that God does give us abundance, but He also teaches us patience and thankfulness – sometimes in painful ways we can’t understand. Trust Him as Job did. Surely God will bring about His good purposes in us as well.
Copyright Shirley Wilson. To connect with the author, email [email protected]
For other inquiries about the Daily Devotionals or to submit original content for publication, please contact [email protected]