The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. (Job 42:12, NASB)
What has been or will be the prime of your life? I attended a Bible study recently and the leader posed this question to 20 men ranging in age from 42 to 74. Most are leaders in our community and well-respected. All have experienced some success in life blended with a lot of suffering and challenges as well. Some are experiencing difficult life challenges right now. I believe most of us are at a Bible study because we all want to get better.
Let me set the context of the question. We were going through the book of Job. As you remember, Job was a righteous man that God allowed Satan to sift and attack. The result was catastrophic. Job lost his children, all of his wealth and livestock, and all his possessions. Then he lost his health and his influence and impact in the community. The heading in my Bible for Job Chapter 29 says: Job’s Past Was Glorious. Chapter 30 says: Job’s Present State is Humiliating. What if we asked Job at that moment, “What has been the prime of your life?” We can only imagine.
I have a suspicion that Job would tell us now, “Hang in there. God has a plan to bless you through the years of challenge.”Remember, the youngest in our group was 42. Some were remembering when life was sweet and business good and health strong. But this ol’ life has a way of breaking us and strengthening us at the same time. It can be humiliating and trying. Just ask the older ones.
So now let’s look at this question again. What is the prime of life from a spiritual perspective? What is our best time with God? Philippians 1:6 declares, “He who began this work in you will perfect it.” Maybe the later years can be for the perfection of what God has already started. Maybe growing spiritually and closer to God is what the plan always has been. Experience always trumps argument.
Our friend Job is a good example for us. God restored the fortunes of Job twofold. He witnessed the abundant provisions of God again. His faith grew as he matured. “The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:10).
One day we might be able to ask Job, “When was the prime of your life?” This strong man of faith could enlighten us. The first chapter of Job gives us these words of his:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Then we are told, “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Spiritually speaking, you can’t get more prime than that!
I have a suspicion that Job would tell us now, “Hang in there. God has a plan to bless you through the years of challenge.” The prime of life could be living out God’s promise to us, no matter the age.
—
Randy Wolff
March 4, 2019
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.