Job’s Past Was Glorious

Job 29:1–25
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Forgetting for a moment his own condition and the miserable comfort of his friends, Job turned his attention to the way things had been with him in the past, and manifested a longing for a return to those days (vv. 1-2), when the radiance and light of God’s presence had brought blessings untold (vv. 3-4). His fellowship with God and his children had been the greatest sources of his happiness (v. 5). During those days his life had been filled with the bountifulness of nature toward him (v 6). In the good old days when he went to the gate of the city the young, out of respect for him, had stepped out of his path, and the aged had stood to their feet upon his arrival (vv. 7-8). Even princes and nobles had remained silent until after he had spoken (vv. 9-10), and men had called him blessed (v. 11) because he had cared for the poor, the fatherless, the perishing and the widows (vv. 12-13).

Job was full of good works (v. 14). He was chairman of the board of the blind school and a benefactor of the crippled children’s home (v. 15). He supported only worth causes (v. 16). He brought to pass law and order (v. 17). He had it made for retirement (vv. 18-20) You can’t think of anything that Job did not have. Men had waited for his counsel, and when he spoke issues were settled (vv. 21-22). His words were eagerly accepted (v. 23) and even the smile on his face renewed everyones hopes (v. 24). When he pointed in a direction, they had followed without question (v. 25).

Job walked a fine line between bragging about the past accomplishments and recalling good deeds in order to answer the charges against him. Job’s one weakness throughout his conversations is that he came close to being prideful. Pride is especially deceptive when we are doing right. While it is not wrong to recount past deeds, it is far better to recount God’s blessings to us. Warren Wiersbe says, “If we focus so much on the glories of the past, we may ignore the opportunities of the present, and end up unprepared to meet the future.”

Application

As I think back over the exciting things that God has allowed me to be a part of, I want to be careful that I give God the credit and the praise for all that has been accomplished in and through my life.