Dear Christian friends:

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21b)

The man who spoke to us in this verse is Job. He says some strange and wonderful words here, words which can give much comfort and hope to you in your time of sorrow (grief).

The Bible tells us that Job was a righteous man who respected and served God. He was also a very rich man and he had ten children.

One day Satan came before God and accused Job. He said to God, "Does Job serve God for nothing? Take away his riches and he will curse you." So God gave Satan permission to destroy Job's wealth, but not Job's life or body.

So one day while his ten children were feasting in the house a strong wind came and destroyed the house and Job's sons and daughters. Enemies came and stole all his cattle and sheep and killed his servants. Did Job curse God as Satan said he would? No! He said the beautiful words of our text: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Job was a true believer in God and as such is a good example for us especially in times such as we have here today.

So let us with Job submit ourselves to God's will and give all honor and glory to God. Confess with Job and all true Christians, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord."

"The Lord gave" Job confessed this. You must confess this about your son. You did when you brought him to God in Holy Baptism.

"The Lord hath taken away." Job's ten children taken by the storm. Yours by a terrible fall. Yet God took him away God could have prevented it. He who gave it to you has taken it back to Himself in heaven. Our children are only a loan. They are God's really.

Now your son is much better off. Paul said, "I have a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better. No need to weep and grieve therefore really.

True, you will miss him very much and you will always have a pain in your heart for him. But at the same time you can be satisfied and happy to know that he is with all God's children in heaven.

And this ache in your heart will serve to remind you in time of trouble and temptation to keep your own faith and hope in God so that you too, one day shall see him again in heaven and be reunited with him.

So really we should this day bless God and not curse him, just as Job did when he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

Job also believed that his ten children were better off with God in heaven, and although they suffered a terrible tragedy, yet He could praise the name of the Lord. He knew that God could take better care of them than himself. And he was right.

Unbelievers cannot praise God when things like this happen. How different for us Christians. We know that God loves us and forgives our sins through faith in Jesus Christ. We know that He is not angry with us and does not punish us in anger. If He lets sorrow and grief happen to us, we know and believe that what ever happens that happens for our good. As Paul says, "We know that all things work together for good to those that love God."

Amen.