September 5 I Monday

Psalms 146-147

1 Corinthians 15:1-28

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.”     —Job 1:20

What is our response when trials and testings come our way? Do we turn to curse God or do we bow down and worship Him? We find this question debated between God and Satan when God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?…he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Satan retorted, “Does Job fear God for nothing?…You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.” Satan believed Job only feared God because God blessed Job’s life abundantly. Therefore, Satan challenged God, “Stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” God accepted it by saying, “Everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger” (Job 1:8-12).

       Satan started attacking Job’s life, beginning with Job’s livestock. “The oxen were ploughing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them.” Then Job receives news, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants.” If that news was not enough, Job was told, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine…when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead.” Within moments, Job lost his children, property and possessions. This would be a reasonable moment for Job to curse God, but instead, Job fell to the ground and worshipped God. Could we believe it? Job did not curse or question God why everything happened, but worshipped Him. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:14-21).

       Satan’s accusations were debunked because, “[Job] still maintains his integrity.” Yet, Satan countered God, “Stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” With that, Job’s health suffered to the point of his wife saying, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” Yet, Job refused and rebuked his wife, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:3-4, 9-10).

       Sometimes trials and testings we face could be a satanic attack, but like Job, may we maintain our integrity through these trials as we turn our hearts to trust and knees to worship God not only in the good times but also in the troubled times because God is sovereign over all.

Prayer: Dear Lord God, You give and You take away but blessed be Your name. I ask that You help me to stand firm with integrity and worship You through trials, just as Job did. Thank You, Lord.