Arizona sun., 1947-07-04

tiveness.
We learn from Job and his ex-
periences that it is possible so to
live by the grace of God, that he
can be pleased with our lives. That
is an encouraging fact. Job was
just a man, but he was a man who
was
I. Upright and Good 0:D.
COME liberal critics Of the Bible
- have tried to prove that Job
was not a real man, but other Scrip
ture makes it clear that the words
''there was a man" (v.D states q
fact. (See Eek. 14:14 and 20:
James SID
He was a man with a large fam
lily. with great flocks and herds, and
so a man Of business, and the hus-
band and father in a growing and
active household. But in it all he
was upright. and a good. God.
fearing man.
Many make excuses for their
failure to serve the Lord. They
say that their business duties and
relationships make It just about
impossible. Others say that fam
lily situations and responsibilities
keep them from service and wor-
ship Of the Lord.
The experience Of Job explodes
all such excuses and squarely
faces us with the fact that It is
possible to live for God in the
midst of the very circumstances
of modern life.
III. Tried and True (27:1-5).
A FTER Job had lost his property.
n his children and even his health,
three of his friends came to comfort
him. But they only added to his
sorrow by accusing him Of being
sinful, and suffering only what he
deserved.
Job in these verses is replying to
them. We note that in his ignorance
of Gods purposes, he accused God
of being cruel to him (27:2; 30:2D.
This matter was later to be straight
ened out with the Lord.
But even now when he did not
understand Gods dealings, and
stood there sick and destitute, he
his integrity. He would
not turn from the Lord, nor would
he be led off into wickedness.
1t is possible for a man to be
beaten and bruised and bewil-
dered, and still true to the Lord.
Let's never forget that!
III. Kind and Fair (31: 1929.
FOB had been a rich man, but had
y not let his own prosperity dim
his eye so that he could not see the
need of his poor neighbor. He was
not among those who, because they
are well fed, can see no point in all
the fuss. about the hungry people
round about.
There is something very fine and
worthy of our imitation here. It is
so easy to take what we have as a
special favor from the Lord, to be
retained and used by us, when we
ought to recognize it as matter of
stewardship for the Lord.
A vital part Of real moral integ-
rity is the right use of posses
si0ns. Many a man or woman who
has passed all the other tests with
flying colOrs comes to grief AZ
this point.
Nv. Spiritual and Faithful (31:
24-28.
THERE were plenty of tempta-
l. tions in Jobs day, as there are
now, to depart from the worship of
the true God to other modes of
devotion.
The worship of the sun was COM
mon, and jeremiah 44:17 shows
that it continued for generations. In
fact, what shall we say of the world
wide devotion to astrology in our
day.
Then there was the temptation to
worship gold. How up-to-date that
is, for DOVE not have millions who
worship ''the almighty dollar" yes.
even if they do not have it.
To all such temptations Job said
resolute mo" He would not even
permit his innermost heart to be
enticed secretly ". I'D. He stood
true for the God he loved and
served.
Who will question that one of
our greatest needs in the world
today is for men and women whOA
by the grace and blessing of God,
will live good and upright lives,
true to the Lord, and sacrificial,
in real l0ving-kindness to men.
God give as men, yes, that kind
Of men!
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