Job 1:1 – “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, my heart was troubled by the trouble in the world.  My battles were not my focus, but the plight of multitudes.  I had a renewed anger and hatred for the devil and his works in people’s lives. The troubler is troubling today.

In Job 1, God identified Job’s four chief qualities. He was innocent (blameless), meaning he was without fault. Would God could say that about me.  Job was upright (honest to a fault), doing what was right continuously. He revered God. That reverence guided his life in all phases.  He was constantly conscious of God’s person and presence.  He turned from evil. That is the expected manner of life of a person who is blameless (innocent), upright(devotedly honest), living in awe of God, constantly conscious of Him.  They shun the very appearance of evil.  They have no vindictiveness in their hearts.

The devil found it impossible to believe any human would be that selfless.   

If we desire to be that kind of person, we must give ourselves wholly to God and exercise willpower as 1 Peter 2:1 reveals, “lay aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocries, and envies, and evil accusations.”   We have to do this.  We pray for God to do it for us and justify our humanity because He will not.  He puts His love in our hearts, covers us with Christ’s blood, redeems us, gives us new hearts, and enlightens our minds.   We have to do our part and STOP surrendering to the flesh.

1 Peter 2:11 admonishes us to abstain.  That is not a supernatural work done in us, but the power of grace through us. We do it!  1 Peter 5:6 instructs us to humble ourselves.  We will either humble ourselves or be humbled.

But that is hard!  Yes, it is!  That’s the encouragement of 1 Peter 5:7.  We are allowed, encouraged, and instructed to “cast all our care on Jesus.”   Are we struggling?  If so, take it to Jesus.  Are we discouraged?  If so, take it to Jesus. Are we weak? If so, take it to Jesus.   Pride brings disfavor, but humility brings reward (in God’s time).

1 Peter 4:1 admonishes us to “arm ourselves.”   The idea is that if we force our flesh to submit, God will set us free!  He is waiting for us to take action and move toward Him.  We are not without help, but God won’t do for us what He has empowered us to do.

Trouble is everywhere, but so is God!  We are more than conquerors!  Receive His grace and do what you know to do, and watch what He does!

1 Peter 2:15 – “For such is the will of God that by your good works you may silence the mouths of foolish men who know not God.”

Remember, your life is your defense!

James 1:19 – “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters!  Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, several things tugged at my heart.  In Esther 4:14-16, there is a powerful reminder that we are not God’s only option.  Mordecai’s warning to Esther about her trepidation to get involved is a reminder that silence is not always golden. The position and condition we find ourselves usually have a larger purpose.

James 1 speaks to the reality that life has problems, and those problems are exams to reveal our progress and define our purpose.   Being joyful in a trial is not being joyful for a trial.  Understanding what the trial is doing is cause for rejoicing.  Trials reveal our inadequacy and God’s sufficiency. Lessons learned strengthen our confidence in God and solidify our faith.  Trials teach us the value of patience and persistence.

James 1:19 should be on a plaque we all keep before us.  Swift to hear. Speaking or doing rashly never produces the fruit of righteousness.  Speaking or doing without the revelation of God’s desire is a doorway to rebellion.

Be slow and guarded in our words, gives God the necessary latitude to work in all directions.  Hear the conclusion of the whole matter before putting in your two cents.  Be slow to anger.  Righteous indignation can propel us into right action, but selfish anger is a wedge between man and man and man and God.

James 4:3 reveals the importance of motives!  The why is usually more important than the what, when, where, who, and how.  Why are we angry? Why do we doubt?  Why do we fear?  Why do we fail?  Why?  The root of the Why is the condition of our hearts and is revealed in our tongues.  The overflow of the heart reveals the true heart!

Let’s practice the steps of God’s dance – Swift, Slow, Slow!  Dance to the music of mercy and watch God do what God does!

Let’s learn to do God’s Slow Dance!

Hebrews 12:28 – “So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. ²⁹ For our God is indeed a devouring fire.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, life became my focus. Life?  Not just time on earth, or even the events we use as markers, milestones, and memories, but life!

Hebrews 12:28 says we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:1-2 speaks of the testimony of history that inspires us to persevere.   Hebrews 8:10 reveals that the New Covenant is a covenant of a relationship, not religiosity.  Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that we please God only by trusting God. If we trust, we obey.

Hebrews 13:5-6 gives insight into how we can live free of fear and pride. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that Jesus promised never to leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:6 reminds us that He enables us to live free of fear, free of attachment to possessions or positions, and free of dependence on self and pride. It allows us to live!

How do we enter into this kingdom, covenant, and relationship?  Hebrews 13:13 reveals that we go outside the camp to Jesus.  What is the camp?  We have to leave the system, the false securities, and attempts to earn His favor, and in total acknowledgment of our sin and need, we go to Him TOTALLY EXPOSED!

The Blood of Jesus is the Key to Life! Hebrews 9:22 reveals that if there is no blood, no forgiveness.  Living in the kingdom is living in oneness with the king.  It is Him living His life through us.  It is not a position; it is a condition.  It is to live the impossible!  It is to be FREE!  It is to die to self and live to and through Him. No King, no kingdom.

I’m longing for LIFE, not existence!  We have received an unshakable kingdom. What are we going to do with that blessing?

Live Life rather than simply having milestones and memories reminding of some past time or event!

Hebrews 1:1-4 – “After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, ² in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. ³ The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. ⁴ Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, several things filled my consciousness.   Jesus and the Father are EXACTLY the same.  Jesus has been where we are, so He can relate.  The New Covenant has Jesus as its guarantee.

Hebrews 1:2-4 reveals that Jesus is the express image of the Father!  That has little to do with physical appearance but with the essence of who they are.  Jesus has inherited ALL things.  That’s important because we are joint-heirs with Him.

He cleansed us (made us acceptable to God) by His death. He rose to life and ascended to the Father.  (Remember, we live in Him and are seated with Him in the heavenly places.)  Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 4:2 reminds us of the importance of faith.  The gospel was preached to those in the wilderness, but it did not benefit them.  Why?  Because it was not mixed or embraced with faith. The gospel is just words and theory without faith.

We make Hebrews 4:12 a proof text for the inspiration and inerrancy of scripture.  (It is) But the context includes vv 9-11. The Word is the source of information when coupled with faith and applied to LIVE in God’s Rest!

Hebrews 4:14 tells us to remain firm in the faith of Jesus.  Remember, the life we now live in the flesh we live by the faith OF the Son of God. If Jesus is IN us and living His life THROUGH us, we are supernatural beings living a supernatural life with supernatural strength. That is Who we Are because that is Who He Is.  Christ IN us…Christ THROUGH us…Christ WITH us…

When will we believe Him, take Him at His Word, and BE who He says we ARE?  The New Covenant is a better Covenant based on better promises.

Hebrews 7:22 – “All these things make a better Covenant because Jesus is its surety.” Notice v 25 – “Therefore He is able to save forever those who come to God by Him BECAUSE He lives forever to make intercession for them.” How can we not make it if Jesus is interceding for us?

Be what God says you are!  Be who God says you are.  It’s time to begin being!

2 Chronicles 25:1-2 – “Amaziah was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.  ² And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the thought of Pride and Perfect Hearts filled my consciousness.  Those are incomparable, right?   Certainly!  Perfect hearts are God’s desire and should be our goal. Pride is a preventative to everything God desires.

In 2 Chronicles 25, Amaziah did what was right, but… that is always troubling. The “but” problem. “But not with a perfect heart.”  That is the condition of multitudes today.  We go through the motions and do the right things, but the heart is not perfect (pure and surrendered).   In 2 Chronicles 27:16, when King Uzziah became rich, Pride filled his heart and opened the door to rebellion.

In 2 Chronicles 32, we read of Hezekiah’s response to danger.  He prayed and declared, (v7) – “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed in the presence of the king of Assyria, nor in the presence of all the armies that have come with him; FOR there is more with us than with him:”   All he has is his army and earthly weapons, but we have  The Living God! In vv 20-21, Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, and prayer unleashed the avenging angel of God!

The deterrent to Pride is Presence!  God’s presence dismantles all ground upon which Pride can be built. Presence brings humility and peace.   Presence brings clarity of mind and purity of heart.  Presence brings the power of God.

Titus 1:15-16 reveals a valuable truth – Profession is not possession! Knowledge is not faith!  What we say is secondary to what we do!  Actions not only speak louder than words, but they also reveal the heart.  Many go to church but never become the church.  Many add Jesus as an accessory rather than their foundation.

Pride cannot thrive in the presence of Grace.  Titus 2:11-14 is powerful.   Grace brings salvation.  Grace teaches us to renounce certain things and to move into a life that is a complete contrast to the self-life.  Grace produces an upward look.  Grace brings us into the presence of purity.  Grace enlightens, equips, and enables.

Clean hands and pure hearts experience His presence.  Pride blocks the person and the provision of Christ.  If we discover any semblance of Pride, we should run, not walk, to the altar!  Peace and purity will not cohabit with pride. No peace, look for the presence of Pride.   

My cry is the prayer of Psalm 51:10-13.  Cleanness of heart, rightness of spirit, presence of the Holy Spirit, restoration of overflowing joy, and embraced by the LORD! Protected from pride and propelled by peace through purity.

Lord, help us to rid ourselves of foolish pride so we can enjoy a pure heart!