賞賜與收取都在乎神(伯一)

烏斯地有一個人，名叫約伯；那人完全正直，敬畏神，遠離惡事。(伯 1：1) 

在約伯記的一開始，就可以認識到，這是一位受肯定的信仰模範，在神眼中甚至是在地上，沒有人像他這樣正直、敬畏神，但卻受到撒但的挑戰，要看在患難之中會否離棄神。每每讀及約伯記都值得我們再思，我們能否堅守信仰、持守純正，在這個必定會有迷惑、苦難的末世之中，我們是否緊抓住神，堅信神在我們生命中的拯救與幫助。 

你豈不是四面圈上籬笆圍護他和他的家，並他一切所有的嗎？他手所作的都蒙你賜福；他的家產也在地上增多。(伯 1：10) 

在撒但的控訴中，被保護的約伯擁有神所賜的一切，我們不也如此嗎？能在神的保護下過著平安喜樂的生活，諸事順利、得勝有餘，但這些能被細數的恩典可否幫助我們建立與神緊密的關係呢？我們對於擁有的一切是否充滿感謝？我們何德何能可蒙神賜福？若非神保守，何能有如此平安的生活？ 

我赤身出於母胎，也必赤身歸回。賞賜的是耶和華，收取的也是耶和華；耶和華的名是應當稱頌的。(伯 1：21) 

遭遇人生驟變的約伯，在患難之初能有清楚的認識「賞賜與收取都在乎神」，但隨著更多生命的歷練，這個認識會否受到考驗？當我們自己或是身邊的人遭重病、久病、生命威脅，甚至殞落、意外身亡，又或者經濟損失、不明的指控，我們是否還確信在患難之中，都有神要我們學習的功課。面對生活中一些不能解答或沒有答案的問題，或得不到回應時，我們是否對神仍有盼望，確信在苦難中也會有神的祝福。 

對於身為自雇者這樣工作型態的我而言，雖有高度自主性，可以自定工時、自主選擇工作與客戶，但也同時需要自行管理業務風險和承擔收入的不穩定性，在這樣的生活中，總能體會神的帶領，看似接近匱乏的水位，卻能有神及時的挹注緩解，看似沒有穩定收入，卻能知道唯一要穩穩抓住的是神，當我們選擇了工作自由與時間彈性，盼能投入更多心力在教會服事而非被工作綁架，卻更能深切體會所擁有的一切，都是神的賜福，不是靠人的能力。 

七月底發生的一次車禍也深切的提醒我，即便從過去的經驗，已漸學會冷靜應對，花時間完成筆錄、出險等流程，遇上了就心平氣和去面對，但這次車禍跟以往不同，因我個人不慎所致，屬於全責，在事故發生的當下，心想「慘了！要賠多少啊！」但靜下來時，心裡只剩兩個意念，其一是在信仰生活、家庭祭壇或教會服事上是否有了破口，是否疏忽禱告，應再次檢視、將破口堵上，其二則是如果沒有保險，這個後果真的不敢想像，但終究要面對責任，只能求神帶領，因為自己無法左右對方受傷的復原或復工時間，也無法判定理賠的金額，面對這種無能為力、未知的進程，只能交託神，讓我能在過程中持守對神的信心與感謝。 

願神帶領我們在讀約伯記的過程中，再次思考我們與神的關係，在苦難中緊抓神，讓我們的信仰可以帶給我們「面對」的力量，接受生命試煉，真正認識我們所遭遇的都是出於神，我們就默然不語！讓我們以更多的禱告來親近神、體貼神的心意、看見神的帶領，勇敢接受操練。 

我的弟兄們，你們落在百般試煉中，都要以為大喜樂。因為知道你們的信心經過試驗，就生忍耐。但忍耐也當成功，使你們成全完備，毫無缺欠。(雅 1：2-4) 

by林沐恩

真耶穌教會石牌教會、天母教會線上講道

石牌教會https://www.youtube.com/@TJChurchShipai

天母教會https://www.youtube.com/c/TJC_Tianmu/featured

The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away (Job 1)

August 23, 2025

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. (Job 1:1, ESV)

At the very beginning of Job, we meet a man of faith who is highly affirmed—Job. In God’s eyes, and even on earth, there was no one like him: blameless, God-fearing, and turning away from evil. Yet Satan came to challenge this, to see if Job would still hold fast to God when hardship came.

Whenever we read Job, it makes us reflect: Can we also stand firm in faith? Can we remain pure and steadfast in this end time that is full of temptations and suffering? Will we cling to God and firmly believe in His salvation and help in our lives?

 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” (Job 1:10, ESV)

In Satan’s accusation, Job was described as one under God’s protection, enjoying all that God had given. Isn’t that the same with us? We live under His care—peaceful, joyful, and often victorious. Yet, do these blessings that can be counted truly help us build a closer relationship with God? Are we sincerely thankful for all we have? What right do we have to receive His blessings? Without His protection, how could we ever enjoy such peace?

 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21, ESV)

When Job faced sudden loss, he clearly confessed: “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.” Yet, as more trials came upon his life, would this conviction continue to stand the test?

When we or those around us face severe illness, long-term sickness, life-threatening conditions, or even sudden death and accidents—or when we encounter financial loss or false accusations—can we still believe that in the midst of trials, God has lessons for us to learn? When life brings us questions without answers, or silence without response, will we still hold on to hope in God, believing that even in suffering His blessing is present?

For me, as someone who is self-employed, I experience both high freedom and high risk. I can choose my working hours, projects, and clients, but I must also carry the uncertainty of unstable income. Yet again and again, I see God’s guidance. Just when my resources feel near empty, His timely provision comes. Though I do not always have stable income, I know the only thing I must firmly hold on to is God Himself. Choosing work with more freedom and flexibility means I can devote more energy to church service instead of being bound by work. And in that process, I realize more deeply: everything I have is a blessing from God, not the result of my own ability.

At the end of July, I was in a car accident. Though I had faced such things before, learning to stay calm while going through reports and insurance procedures, this time was different—it was fully my fault. The moment it happened, my first thought was, “Oh no, how much will I have to pay?” But as I calmed down, two thoughts came into my heart: First, had there been a breach in my spiritual life—whether in personal devotion, family altar, or church service? Had I neglected prayer? I must reflect and mend any breach. Second, if I had no insurance, the outcome would be unimaginable. I could not control how the injured party might recover, or how long they would be unable to work, nor could I decide the compensation amount. In such helpless uncertainty, the only choice was to entrust everything to God. My prayer was that in this process, I might hold on to faith and gratitude toward Him.

May God guide us, as we read the book of Job, to reconsider our relationship with Him. In suffering, may we cling to Him, so that our faith gives us the strength to face trials. May we accept life’s tests, truly recognizing that all we encounter is from God, and thus remain silent before Him. Let us draw nearer to Him in prayer, seek His heart, see His guidance, and bravely accept His training.

 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)

By  Moon Lin