“The Case For Integrity”

Monday, September 07, 2020

BIBLE READING: Job 27

“As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.” (Job 27.2-4)

It is not by Job’s power that he has gained or by his wrongdoing that he has lost (Job 1.21). Instead, it is the Almighty who gives life and breath (Job 27.3), grace and hope (Job 27.8).

Job made no claim to be the responsible party for the events of his life. By contrast, his friends constantly asserted that his circumstances resulted from improper choices and behavior. As the exchanges intensified, Job refused to concede to their allegations, affirming that no one knows the meaning of circumstances with certainty (Ecclesiastes 8.16-17). Only God does. Job adamantly refused to impose on this sovereign right of God. 

Instead, he emphatically maintains the case of his integrity. Job’s position on God’s sovereignty remained unchanged by circumstances or even his own perceived righteousness (see Job 9.15-21). 

A couple of observations from this reading:

1. God does not expect us to make sense of our circumstances. There will be times he reveals why, but God is most concerned with our trust. God maintains perfect control in all circumstances – even when Satan is directly attacking God’s people. We should be cautious defining our relationship with God according to cause and effect. Certainly, God has promised to reward some things and punish others, but the timeline is in God’s hand (Ecclesiastes 3.11). And so, integrity is more important than knowing. 
2. Integrity was the defining feature in Job’s life. His wife and friends knew he would not compromise (Job 2.9; 4.6). They saw this as a weakness, but God saw it as a strength. In fact, Job’s integrity was the basis for God’s brag to Satan (Job 2.3). There were many things Job could not control, but this he could. Our natural tendency is to adapt and conform for our benefit. In many ways our lives are about change (Romans 12.1-2). But sometimes we perceive our changes as more significant than God’s consistent nature. However, it is not my good deeds, my efforts or exertion that define a relationship with God. It is commitment in my inner being to let God be God and to adhere to what I know about him. It is only with integrity that we will find consistency in our walk of faith. 

Like Job, we must be adamant that God is sovereign, in every circumstance. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10.23, NIV). May God help us to be strengthened with this resolve. 

“…may he grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being… to know the love of Christ… that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3.14-19)

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