Job 22:21-30 – “Reconcile yourself with God, and be at peace with him; in this way your prosperity will be good.  ²² Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart.  ²³ If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove wicked behavior far from your tent, ²⁴ and throw your gold in the dust—your gold of Ophir among the rocks in the ravines—²⁵ then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you.   ²⁶ Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face toward God.
²⁷ You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him.  ²⁸ Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.  ²⁹ When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast; ³⁰ he will deliver even someone who is not innocent, who will escape through the cleanness of your hands.”

The thought of the ‘Liveness’ of God or the reality that He is ‘The Living God’ flooded my thoughts today.   The Book of Job is intriguing for me on many levels.   It is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible.  The characters and events predate the Law of Moses.  Yet, within it, we discover New Testament revelations that are eternal and timeless.

In Job 22:21-30, Eliphaz’s discourse contains a picture of Grace and, simultaneously, is Pharisaical (works and earning favor).   Mankind has the propensity to try to earn favor and deserve mercy or blessing.  Grace is not earnable; it is a gift of love.

In Job 23:8-17, Job reveals an awareness of God’s omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence.  In verse 13, he declares, “But He is unchangeable, and who can change Him?  Whatever He has desired, He does!” He is God, eternal!

In Job 27:5-6, Job reminds us of a critical mindset we all need.  “…I will not set aside my integrity!  I will maintain my righteousness and never let go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.”

Tragically, too many believe the accusations hurled at them by the devil.   They live in condemnation and see themselves in the flaws rather than bathed in the blood of Jesus, forgiven, and justified.   They give up their integrity and cast away their confidence because they hear the accusations focusing on their perceived flaws.

We all have flaws and are not perfect.  However, the perfect one is in us by Grace!  We are new creations and are being transformed from glory to glory.  It is not our flaws that concern God, but our commitment to never give up.

Job 28 is almost like reading Proverbs about wisdom.  In verse 28, we find the golden nugget that helps us prevail: “The fear (referential awe) of the LORD—That is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”

Job understood and had an intimate relationship with God, as is seen in Job 29:4 – “…I was in my most productive time when God’s intimate friendship was experienced in my tent.”

The God of Job, Abraham, Moses, Noah, and the apostles is our God.  Hebrews 13:8 is our constant confidence – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”   Hebrews 13:6, “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.”

That is our source of confidence.   Because of who He is, we can live with no fear.

• No fear of people.
• No fear of lack.
• No fear of rejection.

So, let’s begin to live, think, talk, and behave as if He were telling the truth.   Dare to do and be what He has directed.  The kingdom desires it, and the world needs it.  Be who you are because that’s who you are.  Two reports are before us.  We will believe one of them.  I choose to believe God’s assessment, not the devil’s.  Today is Victory Day!

May your day be prosperous and filled with the presence of God!