The Lord has Taken Away

As my family walked through Scotland's Beaufort Estate in mid-summer, we enjoyed all the pleasures of a woodland walk. It was mid-evening, the light was still good and air was warm. Before long, however, we came to a clearing, which seemed to spoil the night. Where once were trees, the land was bare. Yet on closer inspection, thousands of foxgloves had grown and flowered, encouraged by the greater degree of light. I love that flower, so I am little biased, but those trees had to go if that gorgeous pink flower was to bloom.

Sometimes, things must be taken away in order that other things might flourish. In Job 1:21, the old man declares:

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

By the book’s conclusion, he might surely have added:

“The Lord took away and the Lord has given,

Doubly Blessed be the name of the Lord.”