WEEKLY REFLECTION by Pastor Lap Dinh on Job 27:3-6

Job 27:3-6

“For as long as life is in me, And the breath of God is in my nostrils, My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit. Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Until I die, I will not give up my integrity. I have kept hold of my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not rebuke any of my days."

How dare Job be sure of his righteousness before his "unhelpful" friends? Was this arrogance? I don't think so. It showed that he is secured in the One whom he fully trust in lowest moment of his life. Faith assures and secures one's life in the midst of insecurity. Did he view himself as perfect? Not at all. On the contrary, he put his confidence on the Perfect One, who will defend and deliver him as long as he stays faithful to him until the end. Faith sees/trusts the "endgame." So now when we are accused, can we do the same? Absolutely! Job was able to do so, simply because he had faith in the Lord. Justification is by faith. Righteousness is by faith. Faith, in the OT, is obedience in God's law. Faith, in the NT, is obedience to God's Son--Jesus, who fulfilled God's law. Therefore, those who believe/trust/follow God's Son fulfills God's law. Furthermore, they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit--God Himself in their life as they are being reminded of God's word and are under Jesus, our Defender who keeps vindicating/redeeming repentant sinners before the Accuser (Satan) and his "friends/gangs" who learn Satan's away of accusing brothers/sisters in Christ. We always have a choice. Believe/trust in ourselves and our confidence will become ashes in times of trouble or smash our self-confidence into dirt and begin to believe/trust in the Maker/Savior/Redeemer/Sanctifier, Jesus, who is the source of assurance/security/comfort in times of uncertainty and calamity.