If You don’t Use it, You Will Lose it – The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away?
I am tying two phrases together because they are connected. These messages are to help us not to say everything we hear, before thinking about it first. This is another phrase that is quoted by some of God’s children.
Does it make sense for a loving God to take back what He gives, or if you don’t use it you will lose it? According to the Scriptures, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation [change] or shadow of turning [the unchangeableness of God] (James 1:17).
This is a Scripture that is used pertaining to gifts and calling. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). God cannot, and He will not go back on His Word.
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19). God does not change. For I am the Lord, I do not change (Malachi 3:6a).
When it comes to the gifts, it’s up to us to serve in that capacity that God has called us into. If we don’t, the gifts will be dormant (state of temporary activity). The gifts are still there; but they are not being used.
That by two immutable [unchangeable] things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation (Hebrews 6:18a). Why would a loving God give you something and take it back? Does that make sense?
Even when we give someone something, it would not be right to ask for it back. That is an indication the person did not give from their heart.
It would be great if we think before using certain phrases; just because they sound okay does not mean they are correct.
This Scripture, “The gave and the Lord has taken away” was and still is quoted at funerals, the manuals were written by people who were supposed to be knowledgeable of the Word of God. The Lord did not one thing from Job, He gave Satan permission to take from him. And the Lord said to Satan, behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person (Job 1:12).
Since Job did not know about the conversation between the Lord and Satan, Job thought it was God who had taken everything away from him. In fact, Job was not upset - then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
And he said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong (Job 1:20-22) – please read chapter 1, verses 1-22).
As I was writing, something else caught my attention; Job said, “naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there” We know that is not possible, but that was what Job believed. It still doesn’t make sense, that’s why we need to: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
This is something that we should never forget. When it comes to God giving permission to Satan pertaining to Job, the same is with us, Satan must have permission from God to attack us. Why does God allow this? To build our character, of course – afflictions, trials, and persecution come to make us stronger.
~ Betty A. Burnett ~
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