Job 29:1-6 – “Then Job continued his speech:  ² “O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, ³ when He caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by His light I walked through darkness; ⁴ just as I was in my most productive time, when God’s intimate friendship was experienced in my tent, ⁵ when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; ⁶ when my steps were bathed with butter
and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil!”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was deeply challenged in my spirit. As I read the story of Job, something in Job 29:4 arrested me.   Job spoke of a time before his dilemma and trial.  He longed for the time, “When the friendship of God was over my tent.”   Friendship with God had been his covering! WOW!

In Job 31, he positions his mind in accordance with covenant.  He used the “if” and “then”  to illustrate his commitment.   Thirteen times he said, “If” I have done this, “then” let this curse or judgment come upon me.  That is either incredible deception or confidence in his condition and position.

Then the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, describes our relationship with Jesus and with each other.  Paul’s plea was for total surrender and recognition of the Body of Christ so that we can become who God has purposed us to be.

In 1 Corinthians 5, he dealt with excessive tolerance and revealed how immorality should affect the believers.  It should grieve us just as loss in death does because it is a kind of death.  In 1 Corinthians 6, he unfolded the painful reality that immorality and unrighteousness can never enter the kingdom.   He gave a partial list in verses 9-10.   In verse 20, he brought it home – Jesus died to free us; how dare we trample His blood under our feet by living in sin?

Job longed for God’s friendship and companionship.   Paul longed for purity of heart.  God longs for our fellowship, which can only be experienced in total surrender and out of pure hearts.

God, I pray, You will cause us to mourn sin and repent!