June 28 - Integrity.

Job 2:3
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
 
Again. The first word of Chapter 2 of the Book of Job tells us the scene. Much like the first chapter, Satan comes to present himself to the Lord once again. While he is there, the Lord asks him, again, if he has considered His servant Job. Times of testing and trial are never singular. We see this in the Book of James as we read “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”. The text does not read temptation, but rather “temptations”. It also does not say if ye fall, but rather “when ye fall”.
 
Times of testing are inevitable. The rain falls upon the just and the unjust. We are repeatedly told throughout Scripture that we will suffer persecution and trials.
 
Our text today has been called the key verse of the Book of Job because it summarizes his integrity despite his circumstance. Throughout all of his trials, Job held fast to his integrity despite what those around him had to say about his situation.
 
Satan was given permission to destroy Job’s children, servants, livestock, herdsmen, home and even his health. God allowed Satan to persecute Job, all the while knowing the bright future ahead. The Lord sees what we don’t see. Job only saw his current situation; yet he did not waver in his integrity. He continued to trust God despite his circumstances. Even Job’s wife thought he should give up because of the attacks.
 
Job 2:9
“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”
 
How did Job respond? He rebuked her negativity. Job understood that both blessings and trials come when we walk with the Lord. Despite his wife's opinion and advice, Job stood strong without sin in his trial.
 
May we mirror the integrity of Job when we endure trials. When we can’t see anything but the storm, God holds us in the palm of His hand. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and because of that we can have integrity. Hold fast to your Saviour when the winds of life assail.
 
Job 27:5-6
“God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
I Chronicles 9-10 |  Colossians 1  |  Psalm 149