“For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” (Romans 11:29 NLT)
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions. All his brothers and sisters and prior acquaintances came and dined with him in his house. They consoled him and comforted him over all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. And each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. So the LORD blessed Job’s latter days more than his first. He owned 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance among their brothers. After this, Job lived 140 years and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, old and full of years. (Job 42:10-17 BSB)
“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 BSB)
At about the age of 70 Job’s life was hit by massive destruction from Satan. His life was so thoroughly destroyed that he momentarily contemplated death as the only positive alternative. After approximately 9 months of devastation He realized just how flawed his view of God was, how his religion had overshadowed his relationship with the Father, and how he had opened the door to the enemy through fear. (To his credit, even at his lowest point he refused to curse God.)
At the end of the 9 months, Job confessed the error of his ways and was completely restored. As a demonstration of His nature (Love), and character (Goodness), the Father restored double of everything that Job had lost. Job then, with renewed youth, vigor, and vitality, lived another 140 years. That would make Job approximately 210 years old when he died.
Job is another example of the Lord’s design and desire (will) for my life as I grow older. I refuse to build my expectations for anything less than my good, good Father’s best. Sin, sickness, curses, and death will not be my focus. I will continue to fill my head and heart with the promises of righteousness, health, blessing, and life. When anything less than abundant life comes my way I will fight the good fight of faith as I wait on the Lord to renew my strength like the eagles enabling me to soar high above all of life’s difficulties.
As I age, no matter what comes my way, I will hang on to…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 155: “I am replacing Retirement with Refirement!” Part 5: Job