We All Fall Short

Scripture: Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” Job 1:8

Observation: In discussing Job, God describes him as a man of 'perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.' however, it is the line immediately before that which is disturbing ... 'no one else on earth is like him.' Job is unique in that he ... obeys God, honors him, and rejects evil.

In other words, Job is the only person on earth with these attributes. This is intended to commend Job. However, at the same time it also convicts everyone else. No one fears God, turns away from evil, and has perfect integrity.

Everyone on earth falls short of God's desires for our behavior. By calling out Job - the exception that proves the rule, so to speak - even God indicates that no one meets the standard. Furthermore, Satan implicitly agrees. He does not himself bring up other names, and is ready with a plan of attack against this one sole holdout.

Application: Without doubt I am part of the "everyone" ... I fail daily, maybe even hourly, to meet God's standards. This is one of the lessons of Job: We cannot alone achieve God's standards. Or maybe we cannot achieve God's standards, period, even with help. It is only by Jesus that I am forgiven and receive grace, and it is also by Jesus that I better understand and can attempt to emulate that standard.

If true goodness is impossible, that does not mean I should not try. Job is struck by repeated disaster, and immediately praises God. When I fail - and I do/will - I must immediately respond by still trusting in God's love and plan. I rely on his mercy, and have proof in my life that it will never fail.

Prayer: Lord, I do know of your love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. I rely on it, as it has been shown to me so often. May I seek your word, laws, and examples for defining my activities, behaviors, attitude, and words. Amen.