THE BLESSING OF THE ‘LATTER’

Read: Job 42:1-16 

Meditation verse: 

“Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen  thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female  donkeys” (Job 42:12). 

The word “latter” means occurring or situated nearer to the end of something than to the  beginning. There are several scriptures that highlight the blessings of the “latter”. Job 8:7 says,  “Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly”. Haggai  2:9 states, “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former; says the Lord of  hosts. ‘And in this place, I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 says “The  end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in  spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not  say, “why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning  this’. Deuteronomy 8:16 says “who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers  did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the  end”. Ezekiel 38:8 says “After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come  into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the  mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and  now all of them dwell safely”. Zechariah 4:10 says “For who has despised the day of small  things?” 

What can be inferred from these scriptures? Firstly, a small or bad start does not transmit to  a small or bad end. The fact that the beginning of the year has been very rough does not  necessarily mean the year will end on a difficult note. Also, that your life has been challenging  this far does not mean that you will live in sorrow for the rest of your life. God’s ability to  restore that which has been wasted, broken, ruined, lost, damaged or even dead is beyond  human comprehension. Psalm 126:1 says, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, 

we were like those who dream”. Job suffered so much loss, but God blessed his latter days more than his beginning. He died old and full of days. 

Your present loss is nothing compared to that of Job, so be rest assured that your season of  joy and restoration is coming. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “To everything there is a season, a time  for every purpose under heaven”. That suffering, pain and defeat will not go on forever. There  is a ‘latter rain’ blessing coming your way. The latter part of this year will be better than the  beginning. The latter part of your life will be better than the former. What do you do in that  situation? In all his suffering Job did not curse God. Keep your faith and trust in God. He is  never late. The end of a matter is better than its beginning. Scriptures cannot be broken.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye

*Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?*

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest.

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com. I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.

www.rockteachingministry.org

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.