Job: Blameless and Upright
Scripture Reading — Job 1
Job … was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
Job 1:1
In the little drama that opens the book of Job, God tells Satan: “There is no one on earth like him.” For Job “was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” Job is also described as “the greatest man among all the people of the East.” He was wealthy, and God had blessed him with seven sons and three daughters.
Job worshiped God faithfully. Every day he sacrificed a burnt offering for each of his children, in case they had sinned against God.
But the devil claimed that Job only served God for what he could get out of it. In other words, Job’s faith lacked integrity; Job only walked with God because it made him prosper.
So God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith. God allowed Satan to take away Job’s children and wealth. And although Job’s faith became strained, it did not break. Job never cursed God. He remained faithful, even confessing, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Maybe you are going through a “Job moment” in your life. Life is tough right now. Your walk with God isn’t making you rich, keeping you from sickness, or protecting your children from troubles. Will you, with Job, show the integrity of your faith by continuing to walk with God? In spite of your present struggles, God will not leave your side.
Lord, help us to trust in you even when we and those around us are sick or have lost our livelihood. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Adrian A. Helleman
Dr. Adrian Helleman served as a pastor in British Columbia before being called to serve as a missionary-teacher in the Philippines. He and his wife, Wendy, later taught philosophy at Moscow State University in Russia, and then philosophy and theology at the University of Jos in Nigeria. They have also lectured in Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Tanzania. They have three children and three grandchildren.
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