Coffee With The Lord

SUSTAINED INTEGRITY… It’s a big deal!

Some people exercise integrity intermittently … when others are watching, periodically, when things are going well, or when it’s convenient or easy. It’s quite another thing to exhibit “sustained integrity!”

Job exhibited “SUSTAINED INTEGRITY!” The Lord’s confidence in Job’s faith and character is again confirmed. First Satan destroyed everything precious to Job – his possessions and even killed his children (check out Job 1:6-22). Now, however, Satan is permitted to attack him physically with pain. And he maintained his integrity even in the face of his wife’s frustrated advice!

“Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lordsaid to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? HE STILL HOLDS FAST HIS INTEGRITY, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.’ Then Satan answered the Lordand said, ‘Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ IN ALL THIS JOB DID NOT SIN WITH HIS LIPS!” (From Job 2:1–10 ESV)

With the Lord’s help and empowerment, I want to be like Job – exhibiting SUSTAINED INTEGRITY!

It’s a popular argument… “The only reason people serve the Lord is because of the benefits and blessings they receive! Take those away and they’ll quit serving God in a minute!”

It’s an old argument – as old as the conversation and accusation Satan had with God Himself about ancient Job (Job 1:8-11)…

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

That argument “didn’t hold water” then – and it hasn’t “held water” since then, and it doesn’t “hold water” today! The case studies that rebut that argument abound!

I have had the privilege of ministry all over the world… I can tell you that some of the most devoted followers of the Lord serve Him REGARDLESS! Regardless of their annual income – they’re “dirt poor!” Regardless of gains – many have suffered loss! Regardless of popularity – they’re persecuted!” Regardless of unjust accusation – they’re often ridiculed! Regardless of the benefits – they’re viewed as having little or none! Regardless of health – many of them suffer pain! The fact is, with devotion, love, and faith they serve the Lord REGARDLESS! They are the noble “children of Job” and the Lord is proud to point out their faithfulness. They REFUTE the stupid arguments of “the Enemy!” They are those “Who are faithful unto death and receive a crown of life!” (Revelation 2:10) They are the ones who know “NOTHING can separate them from God’s love!” (Romans 8:35-39) They are the noble heirs of the faith of those in Hebrews 11 (especially verses 29-40)!

And as I stand on the cusp of 2023, I want to follow their noble example in all that life brings… all that Satan throws at God’s people… Don’t you?

A few thoughts on the first passage of the New Year in my Bible reading (using the Necessary Food Bible Reading Plan)…

Pretty hard to beat Genesis 1:1-2:3 as a “beginning” …  “IN THE BEGINNING GOD…”  He is the beginning of all beginnings… The beginning of all that is… The “new beginning” of my “eternal life” – a “new birth” … and the “new beginning” for so many others down through the centuries!

His “creative word” is powerful!  His “LET THERE BE…became…AND IT WAS SO!  When He speaks things change – things come into existance!  All things are possible – the “impossible” evaporates at His creative word – the miraculous for us becomes the normal for Him!  If we can believe, all things become possible (“Nothing will be impossible with God!” … words that He spoke to Mary regarding the birth of Jesus!  Luke 1:37)

And the decree and evaluation of all that God did and does? AND GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD…VERY GOOD! (vss. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, and 31!)

Out of nothing – everything, out of chaos –  order, out of darkness – light, and out of dust – a living, breathing human life!  What a mighty God we serve – What a way to start the New Year!