“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10)
TEXT — Job 42:10-17
Message
Today’s passage concludes Job’s epic story, which began with the devastating loss of fortune, family, friends, fellowship and health. Job’s trials were so remarkable that the Apostle James pointed him out as an example of a believer who patiently endured trials, but whose story ended on a happy note (James 5:11).
Job suffered physically and emotionally. Although there were times when his conviction was at a low ebb, he did not abandon God. His experience reminds us that troubles of life come to all, but we can trust God to see us through.
Job’s friends were uncharitable in their accusations, but he was also not guiltless in his attitude and response to them. We must avoid sinning against God or our neighbours, especially when experiencing hardship or responding to uncharitable remarks about us. But God later commanded Job to pray for his friends who were also directed to make amends and offer sacrifices under his supervision. These steps facilitated atonement, forgiveness and reconciliation between Job, his friends and God. After that, the Lord turned the captivity of Job and gave him much more than he had before. Job ended well and enjoyed more blissful years in which he saw four generations of his descendants.
As the year nears an end, you can experience a turnaround and recover all that have been lost. If you follow the scriptural principles of repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and obedience to God, you can expect Him to restore your lost spiritual and physical fortunes. His promises will be fulfilled in everyone who meets the conditions.
Thought for the day
“Though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.”
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
