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Welcome. Come in and join us for a while in the Word. Im Carol Brooke and were glad you
tuned into our program called From House to House. Were happy to have the ladies that
participate in the filming and the privilege of coming with the Lords precious Word because,
heaven and earth is going to pass away but His Word will never pass away. What I may
have to say may not last too long. It may be like leaves that fall off a tree in the
Fall. But the one thing that will stand will be the solid roots and trunk of the Word of
God. It will last forever for its forever settled in Heaven. Today we continue in our
12 part series called Jobs Answer where we go verse by verse through Job 23. We come
to verses 10-12 today in lesson 10. We only have 2 more left. Today our lesson is called
But, Ive been Good Lord, as we consider Jobs answer. I dont want to leave you with the
feeling that its all negative. I want you to see the precious jewels entwined with the
expressions of Job – you should read Job, where God finally speaks up – there are
jewels in this little Book of Job. I challenge you –read it – it wouldnt take long to
read forty chapters and you will find some precious truths in there. In this chapter
there are very precious things that I think will help as we go through our everyday walk.
Were not prevented from having hardships hit us as well. Now the verses were going to consider
today was like Job saying, But God, Ive been good. Why is this happening? Ive tried to
serve you Lord – because he was a godly man. Lets begin by reading Job 23:1-3, then
drop down to verses 10-12 in the Amplified. THEN Job answered, now this is some of his
answer. Hes answering to this crowd with their opinions, what has happened to him and the
pitiful state that hes in. Even today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke
is heavier than my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come
even to His seat! But He knows the way that I take He has concern for it, appreciates,
and pays attention to it. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold pure
and luminous. My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned
aside. I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured
the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. You may say, listen to Job. Hes boasting
of how good he is. if you had a lot of people putting you down verbally and in body language,
accusing that you must have sin if this happened to you – you too might find something rise
up in you and begin to answer with a defense. He may not be only defending himself against
what they might say, but hes trying to build his own strength and courage before the enemy
completely knocks him out. Remember we talked about Corinthians saying you can be knocked
down but not knocked out. You can get up because you are not knocked out. I think this is like
Job. The little strength he can muster, he defends his stand with God. Hes in the face
of the accusers of hidden sin in his life. Hes answering, he knows he has done these
certain things. Were going over these things hes referring to of his godly living. So he
was very honest. I dont see him as being boastful but very honest. It is true that these were
the good things he had been doing in his walk with God. Hold Job 23 but go to Job 1:1 Amplified
and lets see the facts from Gods viewpoint, what Job was like. Was he really godly? Yes.
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright,
and one who reverently feared God and abstained from and shunned evil because it was wrong.
Look at all four characteristics in his walk with God. He was blameless, upright, he feared
God and shunned evil. When Job makes these statements in Job 23 that we read, he is honest.
He was intentionally good, intentionally godly. It was his will; his purpose to walk with
God in an honorable way. Yet he faces these accusers, especially the so-called friends.
I imagine that would pour salt in the wound to have your friends, once proud to call you
their friend, now be accusing you and condemning you and preachy at that, entwining God, their
opinion of God and condemnation as they put Job down. The Scripture says we should examine
ourselves. I believe Job examined his heart before God. And we are to do the same. Rather
than waiting and allowing others to examine and to criticize us and seeing the writing
on the wall about us – we need to do what the Scripture says, examine ourselves - do
a spiritual exam. II Corinthians 13:5 Amplified commands us, by the Spirit to do: Examine
and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and
showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves not Christ. Do you not yourselves
realize and know thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience that Jesus Christ is in you – unless
you are counterfeits disapproved on trial and rejected? The Scripture commands us to
take the time and examine ourselves. Like the psalmist praying said Search me O God,
know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and see if theres any wicked way in me and
lead me in the way thats everlasting. Yes, theres a time for a spiritual check-up. There
may be things that surprise you, that youve been harboring in your heart and you hadnt
recognized. Amplified Job 23:11, reflecting back on Jobs answer, My foot has held fast
to His steps, His ways have I kept and not turned aside. I want to focus on these things
hes stating about his walk with God. He talks about his foot remaining fast to the steps
the Lord had ordered for him. Its important you let the Lord direct your steps so you
can walk in the path of His will. Psalms 37:23-24 K. J. says The steps of a good man are ordered
by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast
down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. Claim this. Underscore this in your
Bible. Its important as you make decisions, looking for direction, as you walk in your
natural life as well as with God. But know the Lord wants to order your steps. Let Him
do the ordering and the Scripture says, He will delight in our way. It is the Lord who
delights when He is given the privilege to order our steps, choose the direction we are
to take. Consult the Lord. The Scripture says, Acknowledge Him in all your ways and then
He will direct your steps. When the Scripture says that He will delight in your way, in
the Hebrew that means have pleasure. The Lord takes pleasure when He sees His child willing
to walk out His will - rather than their own will and their own way. But the steps of a
good man are ordered by the Lord. I want the Lord to order my steps because I dont know
enough of the future to make decisions on my own. I know the Lord knows everything from
beginning to end and He will make the best decisions. I need to be in tune and let him
lead. Job could say his foot has held fast to Gods plan - he has walked in the steps
of the Lord. And he mentions he hasnt turned aside from it. The Amplified of that same
text says, The steps of a good man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights
in his way and He busies Himself with his every step. Though he falls, he shall not
be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him. There
are words that are important about our steps being directed and established, which means
made secure. Many people read this or quote it and talk about it, if they walk in steps
that God has ordered how they will delight in their way. Thats true, you will. But the
text is really saying God delights in our way. Or in the Hebrew it means have pleasure.
God will have pleasure as He sees us walking in His leading. Job lived a life where his
walk and steps were stable, faithful. He followed Gods leading and didnt have to apologize.
Lets consider more in Job 23 as he says, His ways have I kept and not turned aside, talking
about Gods ways - not only the Gods steps but what about Gods ways? Thats the difference
between Gods ways and our ways. In Isaiah when the Lord says My ways are not like your
ways. As high as the heaven is above the earth, thats how far apart - My ways are not like
your ways. Theyre as different as the heights of the heavens above the earth. We have to
tune in, not only the direction of Gods steps but to God for His ways. One of the best ways
to know Gods way is from the Word of God. You see how God thinks and feels. When you
read the Word, pay attention to Gods ways. The Scripture says God showed Moses His ways.
He showed Israel His mighty acts but, better than that was that Moses got to know and learn
Gods ways. I would encourage you that want to be more mature in the Lord and have a deeper
walk – seek not only the mighty acts of God. Thats wonderful but move beyond to a
deeper depth to know Gods ways, from reading Gods Word and see how God operates and thinks.
Job could say he had kept Gods ways, he hadnt turned aside like an obstinate child. Gods
ways have to do with Gods principles and standards. He did things Gods way and not the way of
his choosing. Its like a check-list where Job is saying, But God, Ive been good. He
looks at his steps and says, Ive walked in the steps the Lord has ordered. Secondly he
says, I know Ive kept Gods ways. Ive abided by His principles and standards. Ive done
things Gods way, not my way. This behooves us –examine ourselves and see are these
principles we are following in our walk with God? He expresses how he has not turned aside
and refused to go the way God would have him go. Hes been very obedient. He hadnt rebelled,
refused, turned to the right or to the left. Look at a few Scriptures and I encourage you
– mark them in your Bible so you can find these easily. Lets check and see, as Job was
doing – checking on his walk with God and examining himself. See how important obedience
is. Proverbs 4:25-27 Amplified. The command of Gods Word: Let your eyes look right on
with fixed purpose, and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your
feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the
right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. Its talking about our walk and
the way we take. Dont balk or turn aside but look straight ahead, keep moving on with a
fixed purpose. Dont keep looking back like Lots wife did. But consider the path of your
feet and where they are taking you. Be careful not to turn to the right or left because when
we do – were refusing to do what God wants. You say Im going to make a right turn or a
left turn. I dont want to go forward. God wants us to look straight ahead, straight
ahead so we dont sit down, turn aside, rebel, refuse, and be stubborn. Job said, in spite
of all the trouble, he knew he obeyed God. The Scripture says Obedience is better than
sacrifice. To listen is better than giving the fat of the rams, the best piece that was
Gods portion. God would rather have our obedience. The Scripture says Stubbornness in the eyes
of God is like witchcraft. You know how much God despises witchcraft. So, we must bring
our hearts and say, God give us a willing, obedient spirit. Obedience is so important.
But looking straight ahead, considering our feet, not turning aside is important. Job
could say he had followed through. II Kings 22:1-2 Amplified, look at that and see Josiah
the king. This was his wonderful testimony. Josiah was eight years old when he began his
thirty-one year reign in Jerusalem. His mother was Jedidah daughter of Adiah of Bozkath.
He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the ways of David his forefather,
and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. Like Job, he did not turn aside
to the right or left. In my life, admonition has been given repeatedly – whatever I do,
not to turn to the right or left. Continue forward, following the will of God. Not turn-off,
turn around, turn out or fail to do what God wants. May you be challenged to move forward,
not quitting, sitting down, say its too hard or Im going to do it my way. You can go down
the freeway and make it faster, easier, better or take a frontage road. But the freeway is
better than the frontage road in your walk with God. Take Gods freeway. The Scripture
says through the prophet to make straight paths for your feet and make a highway through
the desert. This world is a desert land but lets make it a highway, a straight forward
and go right on through into the perfect will of God, moving in His plan and way. Joshua
1:7 Amplified ties in very fitting. The Lord is speaking to Joshua,, Only you be strong
and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded
you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left that you may prosper wherever
you go. There is a key to God prospering our lives and that is that we will not turn to
the right or to the left. But we will be obedient. That is what Job is referring to here. He
knew as he checked off, and went down the chart in his mind – of have I done this?
Or maybe did I not do that, Lord? Yes. And he could say he had kept Gods steps and ways.
He had been obedient. He hadnt turned to the right or left. And another thing that he refers
to in those verses 10 -12 of Job 23 in his own defense was that he had kept the commandments
of Lord. How important that he had kept the commandments of the Lord.
Lets look at that – Amplified Job 23: 12, going back to our main text again, ladies.
He says, I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured
the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Ah, what a wonderful testimony. If we
could say that you hadnt gone back from the commandment of the Lord, that you had esteemed
the words Hed spoken more than the food that your body may crave and want to eat. That
that held a high priority in your life – is that you would keep the commandments of the
Lord. Yes, we need to not back away from what the Lord has commanded. In your life individually,
uniquely, what God has commanded you – His words to you of the will of God in your life.
Can you say you have kept that and not gone back from that? But if you have gone back,
come with repentance and let the Lord forgive you, start again. Dont continue rebelling
against the will of God. He esteemed the Word of God above his flesh needs and desires.
Jesus Himself said, in his moments of temptation in K. J. Matthew 4:4, though we wont turn
there He said Man shall not live by bread alone, but by what? every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God. Job said as he examined and continued to check out his life before
God – he could say he esteemed and treasured the words of the mouth of the Lord more than
his necessary food. This describes a dedicated walk with God and yet his walk was still tested.
You may be saying But, Ive been good Lord, why did You allow this to happen? God knows.
Thats what Job said. He knows the way that I take and He has a purpose, a plan. As we
dealt with a lesson before, Hes got a purpose in mind and that is Hes going to bring forth
the divine nature of the Lord to flow through and show through your life of gold. Hes going
for the gold. Go with Him for the gold through this test. God be with you I pray and please
join us next time for our subject thats going to be Whos the Boss? Do you know whos the
boss? The Lord encourage you is my hearts prayer. Hold still and believe God with all
that youve got. He will not fail
you yet. Amen.