I have finished reading the book of Job. What a story of tragic circumstances. You know that saying ppl like to say, when it rains it pours...
Well, the rain sure poured down on Job. Truly this man went thru a wild storm.
How lonely he must of felt not just b/c he experienced such great loss but those that were still with him only spoke negative into his life. On and on the bible talks about the things his friends said to him and not just one guy but Job had 4 guys speaking a whole lota crap. BUT God, He spoke in the middle of Jobs storm, and has job pray for his friends.
And after job prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.- 42:10
I wonder, what blessings am I missing out on b/c I am not praying for those who are against me, my enemies? The Lord restored everything to Job, including relationships. And the Lord blessed the latter part of Jobs life more than the first. v12
Last night I read a small portion of the story of Joseph. I read how he wept when he made himself known to his brothers who had hurt him so very much. But Joseph forgave and he saw Gods goodness in the midts of his circumstances. He welcomed his family into the kingdom, restoration took place. Again, we see restoration and provision.
I have some family I have not talked to in a while. I know that God desires restoration but its hard. However, when I read these stories of Job and Joseph I see that God wants to take my family relationships and bless them beyond my imagination. We were not made to live in conflict with eachother but in peace. Confict is one tool the enemy uses to keep us from seeing how God sees. He sees beauty in my family relationships and He longs to bless the latter part of our lifes more then the first.
Am I willing to take the steps needed so that restoration can
take place??
