Standing Firm in Integrity

"Where were you when...?"   This was the question God asked Job in Chp 38.   While Job was focused on his defense that he did not sin; his perspective apparently did not include God's.   For essentially, God was reminding him that He is SOVEREIGN; and that He is the Creator who made all things and knows all things.   And in the face of God's sovereignty, we should surrender and worship.  God's perspective is greater than ours; and who are we to question God?

In Pastor Rory's message, he made some really good points:

• As God asked Satan whether he considered his servant Job, it highlighted that Job was considered blameless and upright.   What would God say about me?  If he had said the same thing, and I was put to the test, I know that there are times that I have failed.
• It is interesting that Satan took away every family member from Job's life, except his wife; and she was the one who told him to curse God and die.   Satan may have known that in time of adversity, she would not be one to help him stand in integrity

The thing that stood out the most for me in Sunday's message was a reminder that Job did keep his integrity in the midst of his trials.  Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:17-18 "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."  Whether or not God takes away our trials, we should continue to stand in integrity.

This was also what I saw as I watched the 2011 version of "Emma".  Emma stood in her integrity, even at great personal cost to herself.  And at the end, she was able to freely love Mr Rochester, when it was right.