I am reading the Book of Job and I am amazed at how he clung to God no matter how difficult his life got. And it wasn’t even as if Satan didn’t try to let him give up his integrity and his righteousness so that he would move away from God. But although Job lost his possessions and his children, Job 1:22 tells us that “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” I don’t know how Job was able to stand firm as he did. He must have feared God and valued Him a lot. Satan wouldn’t stop with all of Job’s losses, he wanted to do more against him to make him lose his integrity.
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” Job 2:3
Later, Satan afflicted Job with painful boils from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. In despair, Job scraped himself with a piece of broken pottery while sitting in ashes. His wife witnessed all of this and seemed to have succumbed to her sad situation. We must never forget that Job was not the only one experiencing loss. His wife had lost the fruits of her womb in a horrific manner and her husband’s property was all gone. Now she watched her husband in pain while probably feeling helpless and hopeless. Her trust in God became shaky and she spoke what was in her heart.
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10
Job’s wife could not get his trust in God to waver despite his outward and inward pain. He was determined to accept this adversity from God without sinning with the words of his mouth despite all he was going through and even when his friends spoke against him.
My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Far be it from me that I should say you are right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; My heart shall not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:4-6
Job held on to his integrity and was intent on keeping it until his death. Even, when his friends accused him that his unrighteousness was the cause of his problems, he remained righteous. He responded to them and defended himself and even questioned God and wanted to see Him face to face. However, Job still would not sin against God. Job is a great example for me even though I can’t say I am blameless like he was. I wonder if he was also an example for King David, who suffered much, although he too was not blameless like Job. There is a belief that David would have known about Job and Psalms 139 is seemingly a response to Job. When David was experiencing his own problems, he wanted to be preserved by his integrity and uprightness much like Job was.
Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You. Psalm 25:20-21
It is very important that we remain in integrity and uprightness as we wait for the Lord’s return. And I should also note that success can also let us lose our integrity if we do everything to keep our fame and fortune, while losing our integrity. Whatever our situation, we need to be alert as we never know when Jesus will return. Many people may theorize about the time of His second coming, but no one really knows as He will come suddenly. Therefore, we must be prepared at all times.
“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Revelations 16:15
May the Lord find us like Job, holding fast to our integrity while been watchful and clothed in the garment of righteousness. I will end with Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on Revelations 16:15.
Behold, I come . . .—Translate, Behold, I come as a thief. It is the oft-repeated Scripture warning (Revelation 3:3; 1Thessalonians 5:2-3; 2Peter 3:10. Comp. Luke 12:35-40). It reminds us not only that our Lord may come unexpectedly, but that He may even come and we be unaware. There is one day when He will come, and every eye will behold Him; but He comes in various ways and forms to bless and to test man. Blessed are they who are ready, watching. But vigilance is not enough: the garments must be kept. The powers of evil are abroad. Sloth and pleasure may counsel ease, and tempt the watcher to lay aside his garments and take rest and sleep. The earnest watcher desires, like St. Paul, to be found in Christ, clad in the true righteousness of faith (Philippians 3:9).
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