Transformed – teen devotion – May 31, 2021
The May series is for the times we may hit rock bottom as we experience seasons of fear and weariness, despair and depression, pain and loss … all of them due to sin. Yet God never leaves or abandons us. He pursues and seeks us in our dark moments.
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:20-21
Rock bottom… What now? Praise God!
We’ve all been told before something along the lines of, “If you think you’ve got it bad, there’s always someone who has it worse.” Job would have been hard-pressed to find that person. His sons and daughters had died. His home was gone. His riches were depleted. Everything about his life had changed in an instant and he had indeed hit rock bottom.
Put yourself in Job’s sandals for a moment. How would you deal with these challenges? If your cell phone suddenly doesn’t turn on, panic sets in. Someone shares a false rumor about you, and your day is ruined. You get a bad grade on a test and your mood turns sour as you lament your bad fortune. When bad things happen, how do you deal with them? Don’t we all at times look for someone to lash out at, to pout and complain, to blame others for what has happened, even if it might be our fault?
What a lesson we learn from Job. At such a challenging time in his life, he humbly turned to his God and confessed, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (v. 21). As Job’s life hit rock bottom with a thud, he didn’t complain. He didn’t lash out. He didn’t cry out “woe is me.” He marveled at God’s goodness, saying, “May the name of the Lord be praised.” Whether its the end of another school year or the beginning of summer vacation, whether life is going great or rock bottom is in sight, praising God is how our faith in Jesus responds to his love for us. Nothing in this life—NOTHING—can take away the truth of what our God has done for us and what is ours in him alone. Remember that, dear young friends. Live that. Cherish it always.
Prayer: Lord God in heaven above, it gives me such great comfort to know that you are with me throughout my life. Heavenly Father, there are times when I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom. There are times when it feels like I have nothing to be thankful for. And then I am reminded of your love for me. I’m amazed at the price your Son paid to forgive my sins and call me you own. Thank you for this gift. Thank you for my life here on earth and for life eternal in heaven. Amen.
