Job 1:20-21, New International Version

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’”

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

These were the words of Job, a man whom God called upright and blameless. God searches the heart and tests the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). He knows us very well, even better than we know ourselves. He will never make a mistake, so when this is how He sees Job, then Job is exactly that.

In addition, Job also proved that statement true when, time after time, in his sorrow, pain, and grief, he never cursed God. Instead, he chose to humble himself with the truth he believed in his heart: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

The Word comments on him: “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:22, NLT)

Even more, after the second test, when suffering took place in his flesh and bones (Job 2:5), his wife, who was supposed to be his helper and stand with him, spoke harshly: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9, NKJV)

Still, in all this, Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:10).

Could anyone truly justify themselves as righteous enough to blame God? I do not see any possibility that one could make such a case. Whoever does not agree with me or with Job, I highly recommend reading the Bible with a humble heart. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them into understanding all truth, the Word of God.

We are living in a fallen world. It became fallen because sin entered. Sin entered because mankind chose to disobey from the very beginning. However, it was not only the disobedience of Adam and Eve. Throughout the human race, sinning against God and His holiness has never stopped. Many underestimate the name of God. Many deny and reject not only that there is a Creator, but also that they themselves were created by God. Sin brings error, corruption, and disorder into this world, and that includes our physical and emotional health.

For those who believe, many still underestimate God: His holiness, His authority, His power, His love, and His sovereignty. The grace and mercy of Jesus are sometimes used as an excuse to do and say whatever we want or feel, rather than as a reason to respond to Him with honor.

Oh, how much we need to learn from Job, who did not sin by blaming God and did not sin with his lips!

My brothers and sisters, if we desire to be fruitful and live a life of fullness as the Lord promised for His people, look at the life of Job. Seek God with all your heart, humble yourself before Him, and desire to be blameless and upright in the eyes of God.