JOB, A MAN OF INTEGRITY
WEEK 1, (Job Chapters 1 to 14)
FOCAL VERSE
There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
Job1:1 NLT
DEEP REFLECTION
Beautiful Soul, thank you for joining this year’s study on the book of Job. Here, the concentration is the first fourteen chapters with the topic sentence being his integrity. Every human wants to be cherished.We all love loyal friends, family and acquaintances. No one loves being betrayed and the feeling it churns out. Whiles some never heal properly after a betrayal encounter, others do move on but employ boundaries.
The subject integrity is a golden trait everyone prays to experience from close and far associates. Simply defined, integrity entails a devotion towards incorruptibility, right-mindedness and faithfulness. Now, Job was a wealthy man who loved God. In all his ways, he was faithful and upheld God’s ordinances. In as much as he was wealthy and could have whatever he desired, never was it said of him that he did something ungodly. He always did what was right in the sight of God and man. This is a man who offered burnt sacrifices on a regular basis on his children’s behalf to purify them from any wrong doings amidst their party celebrations. He upheld his association with God in high esteem.
The ninth verse of the first chapter downwards and the second chapter of Job points us to the fact that God was happy he had a servant who revered him. Thus, He brought up Job’s name in conversations with Satan. Satan would later ask to try Job twice to ascertain if he truly was a servant of integrity as God said. Job would go on to lose his children, possessions and struck with painful boils all over his body. Yet, he never cursed nor renounced God (Job 3). He stood with his godly principles and kept on enquiring of God. From Job 6, one can see how Job was admonishing his friend, Eliphaz to speak well of him crying to God. He made it clear only God can save him. He was who he was due to God’s blessings so in the face of trials, He won’t accuse God but rather ask God how he may have fallen short (Job 13).
Can God trust us to be people of integrity per our diverse fronts? Can God brag about us? Can God look down from heaven and be happy per our life’s here on earth? How do we behave in trying situations?
We find ourselves in an era where godly virtues don’t sell. The wrong cutting of roads to make it is almost becoming the accepted way. An era in which the looting of company funds and resources etc. for selfish gains is seen as “smart brains”. Need I go on? Many a people reading this piece are aware of the corruptible manners we all employ in speech and actions to suit our desires. However, the end isn’t a good one. If not public humiliation, jail term or shame, you risk missing out on the celestial city, heaven. It is therefore worth doing life with God, eternal life and heaven in mind.
To end, From the Psalms 23,91 and 121, one sees promises that display how God cares for us. We do ourselves more harm when we go wayward than trust Him to see us through. In our respective communities, tis the time to employ a life of integrity towards our maker and all we do. Jehovah Jireh is always enough.
SOUL PRAYER
Dear God, help me do life per your ways. Create in me a clean heart of integrity. Order my steps in all I do. Help me know you more and more, Amen.
INTENTIONAL EXERCISE
Be intentional with your devotion towards God and occupation/career. Do what is right at the right time. Respect authority and systems.
WEEKLY BIBLE SCHEDULE
Monday – Job 4:5-6
Tuesday – Job 5:12
Wednesday – Job 7:17-18
Thursday – Job 9:5-6
Friday – Job 12:22
Saturday – Job 13:3
Sunday – Job 9:9-10
This is a GROWcode_initiative in partnership with Jesus Christ.
Stay connected to grow.
Much love.
Written by: Nana
Edited by: Nana & Beth_Hamm
