Job: Steadfastness

https://pixabay.com/en/users/StockSnap-894430/

Bible Reading: Job 1

Meditation
Job was steadfast. He was resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. He was loyal and committed, two qualities which are hard to find in the world we live in today.

To be loyal and committed is to stay true and single-minded about someone. It is to think and feel consistently towards someone regardless of his disposition. It is to be unchanging in your regard and affection towards someone even at their lowest points, even at your lowest points.

His wife was blessed to have him for a husband. She wouldn't have had any headaches for Job was faithful. He did right by her. He would have nothing to do with evil practices. He was blameless. No one had anything to say or hold against him.

His children were blessed to have him for a dad. Verse 5 says that each time his kids had a party, Job constantly gave consecration and burnt offerings for each one afterwards, in case they had committed sin against God.

His peers were blessed to have him for a friend. He was considerate of others most probably and he had means to help and assist. He had 11,000 animals and many servants. He was the greatest of all the people of the east. (Verse 2)

Job brought God pleasure. God was so pleased He even mentioned it to Satan. Job was rare and Job represented a possibility of right living in a world where evil dominates.

Satan posed a question that revealed what he believed about man. He believed that man fears and worships God only because of the favors He bestows.

“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.” 

Satan's belief was put to the test. Job was put to the test. God allowed Job to experience the pain of tragic deaths and total loss of wealth. Instead of resenting God and abandoning the faith, Job remained steadfast. He

"arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong."

 What caused such steadfastness and unrelenting faith in God? Chapter 1 gives us insight.

1. He regarded God highly and continually.
Job thought of God often and he was careful not to displease the God he worshipped. He turned away from evil and he was careful to maintain a right relationship with the Father that he even made offerings for his children's behalf, in case they had committed any sin against God. God was continually in Job's thoughts and feelings. He was careful not to do anything that would damage the relationship.

2. He felt undeservedly favored NOT deservingly privileged.
He considered God's bestowments solely because of His goodness and generosity. He did not see blessings as his rightful reward for good behavior.

3. He understood God's Sovereignty.
He understood God as Creator, His Creator. He also trusted God's sovereignty and superiority. He knew that the most powerful, and wisest being on this earth and beyond is capable and He is good.

Almost everything was taken from Job in one day but He was sure of one thing. God was still there.