Bible Reading: Job 26-28; Acts 11.
“God forbid that I should justify you: Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me, my righteousness I hold fast, and will not let go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live” Job 27:5-6 (KJV)
On many occasions in our life we are confronted with unpleasant situation that necessitates our wondering what we must have done to have brought such ugly situation in our life. As Christians we begin to doubt our stand with God. Such doubt and despair leads to backsliding and drawback from fellowship with God. It is not every negative event in our life that is a result of sin or our unrighteousness. As Christians we must be firm in our standing with God, holding on to the righteousness which was bestowed upon us by Christ at new birth. 2 Corinthians 5: 21(KJV) says “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
This scriptural assertion remain true forever and as such we must not give in to despair and doubt when living right with God but suffer any affliction. We must learn from Job who was sure of his position with God and refused to condemn himself as intended by his friends. Job refused to justify his friends suggestion that God was punishing him for his evil. He remained steadfast in keeping and maintaining his integrity holding fast to his righteousness and refusing to reproach himself. He knew who he was and can hold his ground that his predicament is not a result of his evil ways as assumed by his friends. His confidence in God was unshakeable even in the face of calamity. He had no regret for serving and living for God despite his suffering, his trust in his God was undaunted and resolute.
His trust in God was consistent and firm, hence he said in Job 23:10-11(KJV), “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he had tried me I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his step, his ways have I kept, and not decline.” This level of trust and confidence is righteousness itself, and he went further to say in Job 23:12(KJV), “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” We must emulate and follow the ways of Job when afflictions and adversity come our way. As a child of God we must know that not every arrow thrown at us by the enemy exist for our disadvantage. We must learn to keep our confidence and trust in God firm and constant in the time of adversity. We must learn from Job who was unequivocal in trusting and maintaining his righteous stand before God. Hear what he said in Job 13:15(KJV), “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.” We must learn to face adversity with such mindset of trust.
Paul presented it in another form in Hebrews 10:35-36(KJV), “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” When we suffer setback even when we are Christians in truth and spirit, we must remember Psalm 34:19(KJV), “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”
Being a Christian does not necessarily exonerate you from affliction. While the Almighty can deliver us from all affliction, He also uses it to teach and prepare us for our assignment. We also know that the Lord chastises them whom He loves. We must make up our mind to stand firm in Christ in times of adversity. We must not despair and lose hope in time of affliction, for hope and trust in God is our greatest weapon against all afflictions. The evil winds will blow; affliction will come and adversity may arise but hear what the Psalmist said in Psalm 125:1(KJV), “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.”
My dear reader, anybody may suffer affliction but the confidence of believers in Christ is that we have deliverance in God. Christ came to flood our hearts with His peace and love that passes all knowledge. I beseech you today to accept and surrender your life to Jesus Christ, who died to pay the price of the sins of humanity of which you are included. Accept Him to enable Him succour you in times of affliction.
Prayer: Father give me the grace to hold on to you in trust and confidence in the times of adversity.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo