Bless his name

Job 42:14-15

“And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.

And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.”

The word “fair” here means that they were bright, they shone!

The Lord literally shone his glory through those children that came from Job’s faithfulness in affliction.

They were proof that the Lord never takes without giving again.

The girls’ names mean day by day, fragrance, and horn (which often represents victory in the Old Testament).

Each of those names point to the faithfulness of God. Day by day, he is faithful and Job blessed his name.

Job offered the sacrifice of praise when most would’ve cursed God and died, and that what a sweet savor, a fragrance to the Lord.

And Job was not afflicted forever, he DID see victory.

Each daughter also received the inheritance of Job with their brothers, even though that was unheard of in that time period.

Inheritance also means heritage, they continued on the goodly heritage of Job because they had been exposed to a father who didn’t put conditions on his love for the Lord.

Can you imagine the stories Job told?

Can you imagine the grief he still carried?

Can you imagine the times that he looked at his children, and remembered those who had left him too soon?

When it would’ve been easier to get bitter, Job was naming children after the faithfulness of God.

When most would’ve cursed God and died, Job blessed his name, and lived to see the glory of the Lord shine in his children.

When most wouldn’t have encouraged their children to seek God, because their souls were bitter, Job was encouraging his children, his sons AND his daughters to continue the goodly heritage.

The trials, the darkness, the grief…those things aren’t the end. This is not your new permanent address.

Did all of these blessings come the first time Job chose to bless the Lord?

No.

You’re going to probably wind up blessing his name more than once, in the ashes.

But look what Job reaped.

It WILL be worth it all when you see the glory of the Lord in your life, as Jon did in his children.

It WILL be worth it all when you look around and remember how faithful God has been and just how far he’s brought you, as Job did when he named his children.

It WILL be worth it all when your goodly heritage continues, and inheritance incorruptible, because your kids heard you love on the Lord instead of constantly reminding everyone of the load you’ve had to carry.

Job made the choice to bless his name.

Even in the ashes.

Even when the brighter days seemed impossibly far away.

And there will come a day when you must choose whether you will bless his name or quit.

Anyone can quit, especially in the ashes.

It takes grit to choose him and bless him, when your life falls apart.

But you will NEVER remain in ashes.

That’s NEVER how stories end when God is given the pen.

He is worthy.

Bless his name anyway.