SCRIPTURE:

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Proverbs 6:30-31 (NLT)
30 Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.

DEVOTIONAL:

Dear friend, we must begin this journey together considering the end. The reality of the beginning (or interruption) you may find yourself in today is potentially one of pain, affliction, confusion, and angst. Perhaps you have experienced loss that has crippled you, disappointment that has stolen from you, circumstances that have weakened you, or betrayal that has shaken you. Whatever storm you may find yourself in today, you must know it is not only helpful, but necessary that you begin this journey with the end in mind. I found myself being filled with grief, pain and even crippled by the death of my first wife. The only way I was able to continue on with life - one day at a time - was to begin thinking about the truth of the end. For it is the truth of the end that keeps us moving forward when hope seems to be fleeting. It is the assurance of victory that gives us strength when devastating loss seems inevitable.

In the book of Job, we find a man who followed after God wholeheartedly. Scripture calls him upright and blameless. If anyone should have had God’s divine protection due to his righteousness, it would have been and should have been Job. In the beginning of the story, his life appears to be blessed tremendously. A great family, a thriving business, a large estate, good health, and a solid reputation. Scripture even tells us his balance sheet:

7,000 sheep

3,000 camels

500 yoke of oxen

500 donkeys

7 sons

3 daughters

Yet, overnight, Job loses everything - his house, his cattle, his livelihood, his children, and his health. The only things that remain are accusatory, self-righteous, unempathetic friends and a nagging wife.

This would be enough to make anyone fall into inescapable depression and despondency, and initially this is what Job seems to do. He curses the day he was born, he wishes he too was dead, he wallows in sackcloth and ashes, and cries out in anguish. And yet, through it all, he does not stray from his integrity. He holds onto his faith in The Lord. In the midst of his unanswered questions, he declares this truth as the anchor for his soul, "For I know, my redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25-26)

Who is this "Redeemer" he is talking about? It is God who Himself entered into our painful plight as the person of Jesus. And because He lives, you, friend, can face today . . . and tomorrow . . . and the next day. Because the tomb is empty, sin has no more hold on us, and death does not get the final word in our lives. We know that we have the victory. We know the end of the story. In the end, we, who are part of God’s family, win. Jesus has promised to wipe away every tear and to set things right. He has promised to renew that which has been devastated and raze the strongholds the enemy has fortified around our lives. He has promised to restore that which was lost and return to us that which was stolen. Whether we see it in this life or the next, these promises propel us forward to live for His Kingdom in the midst of the pain of this world. 

In a beautiful resolution to a devastatingly terrible tragedy, the end of the book of Job tells us that God blessed him more in the latter part of his life than the first. Job's new balance sheet:

14,000 sheep

6,000 camels

1,000 yoke of oxen

1,000 donkeys

7 sons

3 daughters

If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that, with the exception of his children, this new balance sheet is twice as much as his original one. God returned to him what was stolen - and more! Not only that, his daughters held the reputation of being the fairest in the land and Job was blessed to see four generations of his heritage beyond him. Any great-great grandfather could say he is a blessed man. And you too, friend, can be blessed. Even in this brokenness. In fact, I would venture to tell you that your brokenness now is going to produce a greater blessing in the future than you ever thought possible. So let’s look toward the end as we begin this journey. Let’s walk right through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, remaining close to the side of the Good Shepherd and looking to the blessings that await us. 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND JOURNALING:

1. What kinds of things have you lost in your life (relationships, emotions, opportunities, etc)? Make a list and describe how the loss of each of them has made you feel.

2. What are some specific promises God makes to his believers for this life? Spend some time seeking God’s Word for promises He gives us. Write those down as you find them.

3. How does knowing the end of the story help you to remain hopeful in your trial?

4. Do you believe that God wants to restore back to you what was stolen? If so, write a list of things you’re praying God restores in your life. If not, write your reflections down as well. Over the course of these 42 days, your perspective may shift.

PRAYER:

Lord, I know You are not just a promise-maker, You are a promise-keeper. All Your promises are true and good. Help me to see Your promises in the midst of my problems. Help me to not doubt in the dark what You’ve told me in the light. Give me the strength to hold on to those promises even when I am weak, and help me to recognize where You are working to restore the things that have been stolen from me.