Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1947-07-04
BY HAROLD L. LUNDQUIsT, D. d.
OF The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.

MI ObENIN pIuDiCliis may wei Nc
AVA solved by the principles found
IN Old Testament Scripture. Man is
essentially the same as he always
has been; sin and temptation to evil
have only changed their outer trim
mings. Above all. the Word Of God
Is eternal In its validity and effec.
tiveness.
We learn from Job and his ex.
periences that II Is possible so to
live by the grace Of God. that he
can be pleased with our lives. That
II an encouraging fact. Job was
just q man, but he was q man who
was
I. Upright and Good u:D.
COME liberal critics Of the Bible
~ have tried to prove that Job
was not real man. but other Scrip
ture makes II clear that the words
there was man" (v.D states
fact. (See Eek. l4:l4 and 20;
James SID
He was q man with a large fam
lily. with great focks and herds. and
SO man Of business, and the hus-
band and father in a growing and
active household. But in 1t all he
was upright, and good, God
fearing man.
Many make excuses for their
failure TO serve the Lord. They
say that their business duties and
relationships make II just about
impossible. Others say that fam
lily situations and responsibilities
keep them from service and wor.
chip Of the Lord.
The experience Of Job explodes
all such excuses and squarely
faces us with the fact that il is
possible 10 live for God in the
midst Of the very circumstances
q modern life.
II. Tried and True (27:1-5).
"A FTER Job had lost his property,
= 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
maintained his integrity. He would
not turn from the Lord, nor would
Ae be led of into wickedness.
IL h possible for . man 70 be
beaten and bruised and bewil-
Aered, and stu true 10 the Lord.
Let's never forget that!
m. Kind and Fair 3l:l9-2O.
FOB had been a ri.h man, but had
u 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 we'll 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. II is
90 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 il as matter of
stewardship for the Lord.
A vital part Of real moral integ-
rity Il the right use Of posses
sions. Many . man or woman who
has passed al the other tests with
Aying colors comes 70 grief NJ
this point.
". Spiritual and Faithful Isl;
24-2S): MtszSS~p---
THERE were plenty Of tempta-
i tons In Jobs day, as there are
now, to depart from the YQYship o. Of
the true God to othssf modes 81
devotion; ...~sz7~-rE. 90
The worship Of the sun was COM
mon, and jeremiah 44:l7 shows
that II 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 do we not have millions who
"the almighty dollar" yes,
even II they do not have it.
To all such temptations Job said
a resolute mo" He would not even
permit his innermost heart to be
cnticed secretly ". 30. He stood
true for the God he loved and
served.
who will question that one OF
MIR greatest needs In the world
today is for men and women VINO,
by the grace and blessing Of God
will live good and upright lives
true 10 the Lord, and sacrihcial'
In real oving-kindness to men.
God give US men, yes. that Kind
Of men!
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