You may think I’m coming down too hard on Job in saying he’s a neglector. Yes. He was righteous before God; he was respected by others. He was not perfect. He said it himself. “I have sinned.” That’s a hard thing to say, but Job said it. Open your heart as you read this. It will sound more like you’re telling God about yourself than reading about Job. I want you to do something with your heart today. Call on the name of the Lord and confess your lack of anything and his ability to do it all.
Job 7:17-20 “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?”
I wish I could express myself to the degree Job did. We assume too much about ourselves. It’s easy to see what is lacking in others, but we have the tendency to excuse so much in ourselves. Job was righteous; that is he was living right. Still he came to the conclusion more than once that he had sinned. In doing so, he said “what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?”
Just as Caleb did, Job credited the Lord for the fact that he was still alive. The Lord preserved him. We fall short of recognizing how God keeps us going. We give credit to diet or exercise and other such things, but all we are is according to God’s word. He’s the saver of our soul and the preserver of our life. What prompted Job to make such a statement was the fact that he realized his sins of neglect and complacency. He took all the blessings for granted. We try to refuse certain things from God because we’re too choosy. We can’t do that. What comes from God is a gift whether we think it’s good or not. Job was complacent with the goodness of God. His lands prospered. His family was blessed. Sure he was grateful to an extent just like we are. As his troubles unfolded he learned that he trusted the Lord amid his blessings assuming all the time that his health, family, and finances were secure. He learned that what touches others can touch him. Are you lost and away from God? Are you taking for granted that he’ll deal with you forever, so you’re not too worried about it? You’re complacent.
Job settled for a mediocre life. He needed to let the Lord do what he wanted. We don’t keep God alive. He keeps us. When Job started looking at this, he wanted to know why God was giving him so much attention. God set his heart upon him. Why did he bother him every morning? We’re all special in God’s eyes. He watches us just like you parents watch your children. Why wouldn’t God leave him alone? Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel like God is overdoing it and it’s not like you want it to be? Job had the courage to voice that.
We should be thankful God watches us. We should be glad he gets in our way. We don’t realize the danger we’re in. Without God, the demons of hell would tear us apart in minutes. Never wish for him not to watch over you. Job realized God was the Preserver of Men and that he sinned in taking that for granted. He confessed it by simply admitting “I have sinned.” Job realized that he had nothing in and of himself. It was all about God. When he admitted it, he didn’t present any terms to God. He made no conditions. He surrendered his choices and asked “what shall I do unto thee?” He had lost his children, his health, and his finances. He did not want to lose the Lord.
Are you ready to face it? Are you ready to confess? Are you ready to recognize God as the Preserver of Life? I urge you to accept the Lord as Savior if you’re unsaved. If you’ve been neglectful before your preserver, come to the Lord.
Has it been a long time since you’ve thanked your preserver? Job got serious. He realized how much he needed God. He wanted to do it right. He wanted to keep the Lord as his caretaker and preserver. Don’t take God for granted.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 