"He gives. He takes away."

So..sometimes when I am bored, I blog hop and read intresting articles and blogs, and I came across one by a lady. I dont know her, I dont know the circumstances in her life, so some of the people she is talking about doesnt make complete sense to me, but you can get the gist of it. Never did I think of this verse this way until now, but it makes complete sense. I thought this was kind of a cool post, so I copied it and pasted it to share...

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

-Job 1:21

"He gives and takes away. How many times have you heard this verse quoted? Or misquoted? I thought about this verse today as I contemplated that perhaps God was "taking away" something precious in my life. But I don't necessarily know if that is what Job had in mind when He said these powerful words. God is good. He doesn't take things from us to hurt us. I believe He allows sacred and precious things to be ripped from our lives at times. Take Todd and Angie, for instance. The most precious thing in their world was taken from them this week when they lost sweet baby Audrey to death after just two hours of life. Did God "take Audrey" away from them? Why would He do that?

On the same token, did God "take away" our current ministry? If He called us here, is He now "taking away" the opportunity to love these people and serve them? Is he "taking away" a pulpit where Josh could be proclaiming His word? Is he "taking away" our home, just to uproot us? Would He "take away" these things, even if it would make us stronger? NO. NO. NO. And again I say NO. I will never credit my good God with "taking away" good things such as this. Instead, I will give credit where it is due. Satan and his evil armies have grabbed hold of what God has given and they have "taken away". Satan is to be blamed, but God is to be given praise. For He has indeed taken some things away...

God has taken away our fear.
"For the Lord your God is living among you.He is a mighty savior.He will take delight in you with gladness.With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
-Zephaniah 3:17

God has taken away our sin.
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."
-1 John 1:9

God has taken away our tears.
"He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears."
-Isaiah 25:8

God has taken away our ashes.
"He will give a crown of beauty for ashes"
-Isaiah 61:3

God has taken away our weakness.
"Yet it was our weaknesses He carried."
-Isaiah 53:4

God has taken away our sickness.
"He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases."
-Matthew 8:17

God has taken away our exhaustion.
"Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength."
-Isaiah 40:30-31

God has taken away our hunger.
" You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies."
-Psalm 23:5

God has taken away our darkness.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid?"
-Psalm 27:1

God has taken away our defeat.
"I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me."
-Psalm 30:1

God has taken away our mourning.
"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing."
-Psalm 30:11

I praise God tonight for all He has taken away. I can rest secure in knowing that He Gives and Takes Away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!"