Quote for the Day

“For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things…”

Today's Prayer

This week pray for those on the road that they will seek God alone as He builds their character. Ask God to give each of them a sense of comfort and completeness as they seek His character as their own. Pray for those at home that they will not be focused on the emptiness of a missing family member, but instead focus on the closeness of God.

Job chapter 31

Job chapter 31 (NIV)1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.2 For what is man’s lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high?3 Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong?4 Does he not see my ways and count my every step?5 “If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit-6 let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless-7 if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,8 then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,10 then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her.11 For that would have been shameful, a sin to be judged.12 It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest.13 “If I have denied justice to my menservants and maidservants when they had a grievance against me,14 what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?16 “If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,17 if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless-18 but from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my birth I guided the widow-19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment,20 and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep,21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint.23 For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.24 “If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’25 if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained,26 if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,27 so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,28 then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.29 “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him-30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against his life-31 if the men of my household have never said, ‘Who has not had his fill of Job’s meat?’-32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler-33 if I have concealed my sin as men do, by hiding my guilt in my heart34 because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown.37 I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him.)-38 “if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears,39 if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,40 then let briers come up instead of wheat and weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

Message

Job has shown us his true character throughout the book. While in various states of despair, frustration, and physical pain, Job continues to “fear God and shun evil.” This is the exact phrase God uses in describing Job from the very beginning. In chapter 30 Job continued to show that his focus was on God alone. Here in chapter 31 we see Job give a very detailed description of what has been the center of his life. He recounts the various temptations and frustrations he has encountered. He offers up not only his belief that he has sought God alone during all this, but that he expects and is willing to accept the punishment of God if in fact he has strayed. In the midst of it all he reminds us why God has described him as a man who is “blameless and upright… a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Verse 23 gives us more insight into Job’s heart, “For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things…” Actions come from our character. Our character comes from what we have allowed to form our very being. Job has allowed only God to shape his character. This has created a man who fears God and shuns evil. This is exhibited in the actions of Job being “blameless and upright” as quoted from GOD! How is your character reflected? This week focus on God and his righteousness and allow your character to shine forth.