Then the Lord said to
Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like
him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."Job
1:8(NIV). If it were today would God confidently
boast of you? I believe God wants to, and does frequently, boast about His
children. Just like we say to people “You
see this child, so smart. Able to take a radio apart and put it back together
and it works very well. Able to cook any meal I also can cook. Able to...”
and so on. That scripture “Like arrows
in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend
with their enemies in the gate.” Ps 127:4-5(NIV) means
to me God wants to boast about us without being ashamed. That He intends to use
you to confront and contend with His enemies. Or would God hesitate if Satan
replied “But stretch out your hand and
strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” Job 1:11 (NIV). Can God boast of you?
When
today God boasts of us does Satan not laugh and say “Touch now their money”? If you do not agree why is it that when
salaries are delayed, or withheld, (or underpaid) we put longsuffering,
discipleship and compassion somewhere as we battle for rights and “survival”.
As though God has not guaranteed in Heb
13:5(NIV) Keep your
lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because
God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." When debtors are
slippery does thanksgiving become far and irritation, resentment, and
grumblings nearer? I used to think love is not easily irritated but 1Cor 13:5(ESV) says love is not irritable or resentful. Or perhaps Christian
principles are not expected to be applied in such matters? I know God reserves
deep punishment for all employers who cheat their workers without repentance,
and those stewards who instead of sharing out due meat to others divert the
funds and become drunken. I know. That can never be in doubt. But what else
distinguishes a Christian but love to the unlovely, and patiently bearing up
under unjust suffering? But if when you
do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of
God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps 1Pt 2:20-21(ESV). Can He boast of you?
In
a prayer meeting I attended the brethren raised up a cry to God for a halt to
strike actions in the health institutions and cried “AMEN!” Sorry. If you are
waiting for the day unions will stop calling for strikes before you stop going
on strike I wish to alert you that is not likely any time soon. Jesus said to his disciples: "Things
that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom
they come.” Lk 17:1(NIV). If you are waiting for
people to stop being seductive before you walk consistently in holiness, for people
to become fully respectful before you stop striking with the fist, for every
need of yours met in your timing and plan before you stop compromising, how
will God boast of you?
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