FEAR GOD BEYOND MUNDANE THINGS

Tuesday, 20th of June Devotion

TOPIC: FEAR GOD BEYOND MUNDANE THINGS 

Text:Job 1:6-12

[6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 

[7].  And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

[8].  Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

[9].  So, Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 

[10].  Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 

[11] But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

[12].  And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

 God is always happy and pleased to boast of His true and uncompromisingly faithful children (cf. Job 1:8). However, the devil knows that human wants are insatiable. Therefore, he seeks opportunities to pull God's children into disobedience in an ungodly craving for wealth, power, and fame. Sometimes, the involvement of meeting with the necessities of life, at certain stages in life, could turn out to be a bait to lure the believer away from God's presence (Gen. 3:1-8, Matt. 4:1-11).

 Dear devout, if our prayers and devotion to God are mainly for what we want from Him, then our devotion remains questionable. The memory scripture reveals how Abraham was commended for his obedient faith in God. He was adjudged God-fearing. Do you fear God? The fear of the Lord is key to fulfilling God's purpose in life. It is the beginning of wisdom. Take a cue from Father Abraham who didn't prioritize his son, his laughter, above God in his life. Many people still have what they can never give up for God's sake in their lives. Even when our lives are at stake, we should be ready to lose them because of God Who gave them to us. The martyrs are there as examples; they gave their lives totally to the gospel, damning the consequences. They lived so because of their fear and love for God. Likewise, Job loved God more than all that God blessed him with. No wonder he was not bothered when the devil took them away. Because he didn't fail the test by God's grace, it was later said of him: Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning (Job 42:12a). If you do not love God beyond these ephemeral things, you cannot exhibit Christ-likeness.

PRAYER 

1.  Restore me, O Lord, that I may serve You

wholeheartedly, not just for the earthly treasures, but for Your love and my eternal bliss.

2.  Father Lord, destroy in me the passion for worldly wealth, power, and fame that can ruin my fellowship with You.

By GoodnessII NGDW