Satan threw all he could at Job, yet Job stood strong.
Even on the verge of death, Satan failed to shake Job’s resolve to his God.
Scripture IV
“Then the Lord asked Satan, ‘Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.’” – Job 2:3 NLT
Beyond his business, beyond his assets, beyond his wealth, even beyond his loved ones and health, Job had this sort of internal guiding system that he never deviated from.
Job valued his integrity and his God more than he valued all the former things mentioned. As a result, Job found the resolve to continue in the midst of severe loss.
Part of navigating change is asking what we must stay true to.
Knowing what we must maintain and/or keep as we move forward is as valuable as knowing what must change.
What are the things you value this deeply?
Jesus, our King, said some interesting things on the subject:
1. “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” – Matthew 16:26 NLT
2. “‘If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.’” – Matthew 10:37-39 NLT
Defining what is worth dying for, is the call of every warrior.
But of all the people in history who died for a cause beyond themselves, Jesus is truly the only Person in history to offer something worth the value.
That value is eternal life.
To be sure, we are saved by His grace and His grace alone(Ephesians 2:8 & 9 NLT).
It’s Jesus’ death, not ours that grants us access to heaven.
Yet we will all certainly die someday, what will your life leave behind?
Action Steps
What are your core values? What personal resolutions will you stick to no matter the cost?
What is worth dying for? When you encounter God at the end of your days, what will the actions you took say about you?
Discovering the answers to these questions is what makes both life and eternity valuable.
As in Part I and Part II, taking an honest evaluation of our lives with these questions is difficult for us all, yet finding resolve to take action after finding the answers to them is eternally beyond any value this earth can provide.
Allow me to leave you with a Scripture and a prayer:
“‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” – Matthew 6:19-21 NASB
Prayer
King Jesus, give us the strength, the clarity, and the resolve to act today with eternity in mind.
Help us ponder the path of our feet and step firmly forward as we live to please You, rather than ourselves.
Guide our footsteps to live for more than what we see.
Allow us to walk by faith and not by sight, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
