Job 42

"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. He named his first daughter 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." v. 12-17

The main question in the book of Job is timely: Why do believers experience troubles and suffering? Through a long debate, Job's supposedly wise friends were unable to answer this question. Job's friends made a serious error for which God rebuked them. They assumed that trouble comes only to people that sin. People make the same mistakes today when they assert that sickness or lack of material blessing is a sign of unconfessed sin or lack of faith. Though normally following God leads to a happier life, and rebelling against God normally leaders to an unhappy life, God is in control. In our world of sin, calamity and suffering come to good and bad alike.

This doesn't mean that God is indifferent, uncaring, unjust, or powerless to protect us. Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world, where both believers and unbelievers are hit with the tragic consequences of sin. God allows evil for a time although He turns it around for our good. We may have no answers as to why God allows evil, but we can be sure He is all-powerful and knows what He is doing. The next time you face trials and dilemmas, see them as opportunities to turn to God for strength. You will find a God who deeply loves you and wants to show you His love and compassion. If you can trust Him in pain, confusion, and loneliness, you will win the victory and eliminate doubt, one of Satan's greatest footholds in your life. Make God your foundation. You can never be separated from His Love!

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible