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!