GIVING UP WAS NOT AN OPTION
Job 1:20-22
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said,
Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return thither:
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.[1]
The legendary gospel music artist and composer James Cleveland is hailed as the king of gospel music. He penned and recorded over four hundred songs, including: Everything Will Be Alright, Peace Be Still, and Where Is Your Faith. One of Cleveland’s most enduring and uplifting number is entitled “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired.” Through this song, Cleveland encourages us to persevere, persist, and endure. Much of gospel music reminds us that quitters never win and winners never quit. The Old Testament character Job is a powerful example of one who holds on, despite the difficulties and challenges. For Job, giving up was not an option. He refused to throw in the towel. He would not give up his relationship with God.
Job’s story is found in the book that bears his name. One of the first things we notice about Job is his wealth. He was extremely wealthy. However, there is much more to Job than just his wealth. That is, Job’s character and spirituality are superb. Four terms are used to describe his character. One, he is blameless. This means he has no moral blemishes. Job’s name and reputation are spotless. Two, Job is upright. This means he does not deviate from God’s standards. His goal was to do the things he knew to be pleasing to God. Three, he feared God. Job was aware of, revered, and submitted to God as the authority in his life. Four, Job shunned evil. He rejected things he knew to be out of God’s will. These are the things the Lord said about Job. What is the Lord saying about your reputation, faithfulness, surrender, obedience, and rejecting evil? Like Job, our goal is to be loyal to the Lord. We may not be flawless, but we can be faithful and committed.
One more important fact about Job. The Lord said Job was His servant. In other words, the Lord was saying “Job is my humble worshiper, he belongs to me, and he does my will.” Are you serving the Lord? King David told us what kind of attitude we are to have, as we serve the Lord.
Psalms 100:1-2
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, aall ye lands.
- Serve the Lord with gladness:[2]
Job’s story does not stop with his positive character and spirituality. The story takes an abrupt turn. The enemy is allowed to attack Job. I learn an important spiritual principle in this attack. That is, the enemy may have space, but he will never have control. Even in the attack, God is in control. Still, the Bible teaches us that the devil is destructive. Take note of the enemy’s destructive ways in the following verses.
John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.[3]
1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:[4]
Matthew 4:1
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.[5]
Luke 22:31
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:[6]
You can’t trust the devil. He is always up to no good. In fact, the enemy attacks Job with a purpose, mission and goal. Particularly, his goal is to make Job curse God. To curse God is to reject God. The devil accuses Job of not being authentic in his relationship with God. According to the enemy, Job is serving the Lord only because the Lord is good to him and what he has. In other words, Job’s serving the Lord is conditional, according to the enemy. Well, Job shows the enemy that this is not about things, stuff, wealth, or even health. Job’s relationship is real; it is from the heart. So, with or without the stuff, Job is determined to stay with the Lord. He shows the enemy that giving up his relationship with the Lord is not an option. There are at least three things in the life of the person who does not let giving up become an option.
The first thing Job shows us about those who take the position that giving up is not an option is they are honest about the battle, struggle, and being attack. We do not put our heads in the sand, living in denial. Look at Job’s honesty about the battle. He has lost everything!
Job 1:20a
- Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head. . .[7]
Job’s actions are showing his honesty. One, the mantel was an outer garment that indicated your status in the community. Renting your mantel indicated inner turmoil, grief, and shock. Two, shaving the head symbolized loss, mourning, and sorrow. In short, Job is honest about this moment in his life. I am sure you have had moments in life you said to yourself “I can’t believe this is happening” and “why is this happening to me!” It is alright to be honest about your pain, struggles, and suffering. What are the real and difficult matters you are dealing with right now? When giving up is not an option, you are honest about the battle!
The second thing Job shows us about those who take the position that giving up is not an option is they know that God is sovereign. Our battles do not demote God. Even in our struggles, He is supreme, excellent, almighty, and free to do all that He wills. Job talks about his sovereign God, even in his suffering.
Job 1:21
21 And said,
Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return thither:
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;[8]
Job knows that the Lord is in control and He knows what He is doing. Even in my suffering, He has not lost any power. Our challenge is to trust the Lord, knowing He has not lost any power. If giving up is not going to be an option, we must hold on to what Paul said in the following verse.
Ephesians 3:20
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,[9]
When giving up is not an option, you know that the Lord is sovereign.
The third thing that Job shows us about those who take the position that giving up is not an option is they keep on worshiping. Notice Job’s worship. He worships after being attacked by the enemy.
Job 1:20-21
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said,
Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return thither:
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.[10]
On the surface, this looks like an impossible time to worship. However, if worship is in you and you are a true worshiper, you worship! No one makes Job worship. He chooses to worship, although living in his worst nightmare. What is Job communicating by worshiping? He is saying to the Lord I honor and respect you. Lord, you are worthy and you still have my allegiance, loyalty, commitment, and faithfulness. I worship you because of who you are, you are still God; my suffering does not change who you are. Job worshipped and blessed the Lord. To bless here means to praise, give thanks, and to speak of God’s excellence. This is truly remarkable. Job’s worship and blessing the Lord is the very thing the enemy said he would stop Job from doing. Don’t allow the enemy to determined your relationship with the Lord Jesus. Worship and bless Him at all times!
Job lost his family, health, and wealth. This is enough pressure to make anyone throw in the towel, give up, and cancel worship. However, for Job, giving up was not an option. He was honest about his suffering, knew that God was in control, and keep on speaking of God power and goodness. Although the enemy worked overtime to get Job to reject God, Job maintained his faith and relationship with the Lord. Are you facing something that is pushing you towards giving up on your relationship with the Lord Jesus? If so, find strength in Paul words in the following verse. Take the position that giving up is not an option!
Galatians 6:9
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.[11]
By: Bishop Arthur F. Mosley
English
Spanish