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What an encouragement it is to read about a man like Job! He shows that we can be so faithful to God that God Himself trusts us not to let Him down. God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8). When Satan replied that Job was only faithful because the Lord had blessed him, God allowed Satan to take away Job’s blessings and see for himself that Job would remain true even in adversity. God’s confidence in Job’s steadfast faith was borne out when Job held up against the worst that Satan was allowed to do to him. God knew He could count on Job.
God’s confidence in our faith is a part of what real faith means. It means that God should be able to count on our faithfulness. The Bible speaks of the inadequate faith of those who say they believe but are fickle. In Jn. 2:23-25, we read: “Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” Jesus did not “entrust” Himself to those whose faith was uncertain. He had no faith in their faith.
Being faithful to God is a choice we are capable of making. Jesus’ desire for us to be steadfast in His service is put in the form of a command we can obey: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). There will be times of difficulty and temptation, but at those times, we can exercise the free will we have been given and, in defiance of the devil, simply say, “No, I am not going to give up. I am going to be a person God can count on.”
This week, let’s spend some time thinking about that. God knows our hearts. He knows how deep our allegiance to Him runs. He knows what it would take for us to deny Him. Let’s strengthen our faith — so that when He knows our hearts, He will know that we, like Job, can be counted on no matter what. Let’s be a steadfast people, a people who would not blink if the devil himself looked us in the eye and tempted us to deny God.
Monday: John 2:23-25
Key Idea: God should be able to count on us.
Questions for Family Growth: What does it mean that Jesus “knew all people”? What does it mean that He “did not entrust himself to them”? What are some ways we might disappoint God or let Him down? What kind of person is it that Jesus trusts?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 21:5.
Tuesday: Job 2:1-10
Key Idea: God should be able to count on us not to give in to temptation.
Questions for Family Growth: In v.3, what did God say He knew about the man Job? What was Satan’s accusation against Job? Did God have any doubt that Job would remain faithful to Him, even during hardship?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 21:6.
Wednesday: Philippians 2:19-24
Key Idea: God should be able to count on us to help His people.
Questions for Family Growth: Why was Paul going to send Timothy to Philippi? What did Paul say was special about Timothy? How can we show that we are as dependable as Timothy in helping other Christians?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 21:7.
Thursday: 2 Timothy 4:9-18
Key Idea: God should be able to count on us not to forsake His work.
Questions for Family Growth: In v.10, what did Paul say Demas had done? According to Paul, why did Demas do this? What kind of faith would you say Demas had? How can we make sure we never do the kind of thing that Demas did?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 21:8.
Friday: Revelation 2:8-11
Key Idea: God should be able to count on us to be faithful until we die.
Questions for Family Growth: In v.10, what did Christ say about being faithful? What is the reward for being faithful in this way? What are some practical ways we can strengthen our faith so that God will be able to count on us?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 21:9.
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com