Continuous Praise

⁹ So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” - Job 1:9-11

     Getting back to my Old Testament overview, today I am challenged by Satan's accusation of Job. Satan is convinced that the only reason Job serves God is because of the blessing God bestows upon him. Satan claims that if God were to remove these blessings, Job would curse God and cease from worshiping Him. As we know, this is not true of Job. It is true of Job's wife who recommends that Job, "Curse God and die." Job 2:9b The real question is whether or not this is true of me. If you were to ask me if I served God only because He blesses me, I would respond with a resounding, "No!" However, when I truly search my heart, I think my response might not be so noble. How often do I complain when simple things go wrong in my life? I may not be bold enough to shake my fist toward heaven and blame God, but inside I am often thinking that God should have acted differently. I often want God to follow my plan and do what seems best to me. When things don't go my way I accuse God of forgetting me or wish that He would save me from my current trouble. I feel that many times I may be serving God only because things are going well. I've often heard illustrations about not having tea without hot water or some other cliche example, but they prove a valid point. How we respond under pressure is who we really are. I can bless God and praise His name all day long when my life is easy. The true test is how much I'm praising His name when it seems I have nothing left to praise Him for. Job lost it all, but he never lost his faith. May I be a man like Job and praise the Lord just as loud from the valley as I do from the mountaintop.