Dost thou still retain thine integrity?

Job 2:9

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity?

Job found himself in a terrible predicament. He endured things that most men would never think of enduring. And he was a perfect and an upright man. He was one that feared God and eschewed evil. And yet, Satan sought to do everything possible to destroy him. And this he did without cause. See Job 2:3. But yet, Job remained constant in his faithfulness and integrity. He did not sin with his lips. He did not sin or charge God foolishly. See Job 1:22. This means that he did not blame God for his trials, nor did he question the fairness of God, as many of us would. He retained his integrity!

And to make matters of the very worst degree, Job’s wife counseled him to just curse God and die. No worse advice has ever been given in the history of mankind or womankind. She says, in effect, “Throw all things away.” “Lose in this moment what you have gained over a lifetime.” “Just give up everything you have believed all your life to get apparent relief from suffering.” But Job was of much greater wisdom than that and immediately called out her foolishness. “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” He recognized that all of us can expect evil to come upon us because of this world which we inhabit. It is not wise to question the wisdom of God, or what He allows in our lives. This is when people become God-haters, skeptics, and cynical, embittered atheists. They take upon themselves the prerogative of God—they decide what decision God should have made. But they are not God as they think they are! Job did not sin with his lips, or charge God foolishly. He did not take upon Himself that which was not in his jurisdiction or judgment. He retained his integrity even in the face of an opposing, unbelieving wife. He retained His integrity!

And now, my friend, will you retain your integrity with God no matter what life may bring? Amidst obstacles, oppositions, and opposers, will you be resolute and firm in your faithfulness to God? May I remind you? May I? That the blessing comes only as we faint not? We shall reap in due season. Do not give in to the clamorous call of the carnal nature, or to the insistent insolence of the enemies. Listen to Job! He retained his integrity and received the blessing in the end. The blessing is only reserved for those who wait. Do not give up when the battle is hot, and the courage is scarce. Do not give in when the circumstances are unbearable or the future bleak and hapless. Look to God! Find strength in Him! Retain your integrity, because one day you’ll be glad you did!

“Dear Father, we thank you for the wisdom of Job, and the comfort that his life has begotten for each of us. At his expense, we have been helped. But we also know that he stands in the company of Daniel and Noah. Through Job’s life, we have been unforgettably challenged to retain our integrity before you. We pray that you would constantly remind us of this in our trials. And may we come through triumphant and victorious in the end, because we have not given up, but have retained the faith that was once delivered to us. And these things we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.”