“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 1:21).
What is the context in which Job said this?
“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!'”
That’s a bad, bad day.
Job had been a very wealthy man. In one day, Job lost everything.
What do you do when you’ve lost everything?
You pray.
That’s the context in which Job declared, “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.”
Wow!
Job teaches us something very important about prayer: prayer is not about our circumstances or about us. Prayer is all about who God is.
When Job had everything, Job prayed. When Job had nothing, Job prayed.
We pray because of who God is. Prayer’s focus is not our circumstances, but who God is. And once we “see” God we are able to begin seeing everything as they really are.
Praxis: Faith in Action 