My Bible in a year has had me reading through the book of Job. I appreciate Job a lot, but if I’m honest, I don’t love reading it because of the friends. They give these lengthy monologues and then at the end they receive a strong rebuke from God…so sometimes I fear that I’ll glean a lie from their words and hold it in my heart by accident. Does that make sense?
Anyway, as I was closing out the book of Job this year, I was struck by some things that I don’t remember noticing before…let’s read here.
When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring. So, the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now, he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. And their father put them into his will along with their brothers. Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life. Job 42:10-17
It’s amazing that those who accused Job and misrepresented God were only forgiven when Job prayed for them. How powerful!! The world of forgiveness and blessing is so real. The act of forgiving and blessing also released the restoration power of God over Job’s life. He ended up with a double portion!! It’s just truly amazing.
If you are praying and believing for breakthrough in your life, but are harboring unforgiveness in your heart…then don’t count on it. We MUST forgive. Believe me, I know it’s hard…I’ve been walking through layer after layer of extending forgiveness in this season, and it can sometimes physically hurt to do so. But, it’s always worth it. The lightness that accompanies it is unparalleled. The freedom it brings has made me eager to continue extending it.
Now when the accuser comes and tries to whisper in my head, I notice it much more quickly and then choose to say, “I forgive them, and I bless them.”
Forgiveness. The key to the double portion, it would seem. Are you willing?
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38
365 Days in the Presence 