Today's Readings - Job 15-16, Acts 25:1–12, Psalm 89:35–41, Proverbs 19:10–11
Devotional
It cuts straight to your soul and wounds the deepest places of your heart. We've all been there wwhen someone makes an accusation against you, one which you know is not true. When a friend turns on you. When someone you trusted betrays you. Let's be honest - as sinners, we are all guilty of many things. We give our critics more than enough ammunition every day, but the accusations often come out of left field, seeming to have no touch with reality.
Job's friends falsely accused him time and again. As emotions rose, as the discussion got more pointed and direct, they went for the jugular. In his second speech, Educated Eliphaz and his arrogant theology point the finger of blame at Job for all of his problems. In Job 15:4 he explains it all. Job has lost the fear of God and because of that God is bringing punishment on him.
Is it any wonder Job got increasingly frustrated and angry at these false accusations? Job did nothing sinful to cause these trials. The problem was not with Job but with the inadequate theology of the friends.
They were as wrong as they were certain.
But Job made a huge mistake here, one I've made many times myself. Job answered back. That is the book of Job. Eliphaz speaks, then Job responds. Bildad blusters, and Job answers. Zophar rants and Job answers. Then they do it all again - three times. And each time Job gets a little angrier, until he finally loses his cool and even accuses God of sinning against him!
But in chapter 16, verses 2-3, Job tries to straighten out his accusers. He calls them "miserable comforters" and questions their "windy words." But he forgot one of the most important lessons any of us can learn.
It is God's judgment of us that matters!
I ought always treat others with love and kindness, and ought never to be callous to their opinions of me. But people's opinions are not the final word. It is God who judges. I am who God says I am, not who anyone on earth says I am. When people lay false accusations at our feet, we can turn to God. That is what Job should have done - defined himself in the eyes of God.
It is not that God excuses sin or ignores it, but he is a God of forgiveness and love. He justifies us and gives us grace. He treats us in terms of what he has done in us through Christ and what we will be one day when the process of grace is complete. So, when we are barraged with false accusations and hateful words, it is important to remember that there is only one opinion that defines us.
Who am I in God's eyes? I am loved! I am redeemed! I am adopted, justified, reborn, renewed, recreated and clothed in the righteousness of Christ. I may still be a sinner and fail every day, but my destiny is determined by Christ's merit not my own. When the world brings its worst against me I rest in the best that Christ gives.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Thank you God that it is your loving grace that defines me, not the hate and criticisms of men!
Think and Pray
Consider today who you are in Christ and what he has done for you by his work on the Cross.
Do you define yourself by the opinions of others instead of by the judgment of God's word?
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