For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. – 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV
I once listened to the audio version of the book of Job with my son. After several hours of listening to Job, my then 6-year-old son said to me, “Mommy, I’m tired of hearing him complain.”
So was I by that point, but Job wasn’t done yet. He continued to lament and complain. Until God spoke to him out of the whirlwind,
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me (Job 38:2-3 KJV).
Job had repeatedly asked for the chance to stand before God and now he was getting the chance. But it was nothing like he imagined it would be. Job thought he would lay his arguments out before God who would consider them and give him justification before his friends.
Instead, God asked him a pointed question: Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Job 38:2 NLT
God continued to ask hard questions about creation and the amazing things that He had created. Since Job didn’t know any of the answers, God reminded him that He was God. He was the Creator and Job was the created thing.
Job’s response to God showed that he had learned the lesson and learned it well. He had stood before God and lived to tell the tale.
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:5-6 NLT
Job eventually got the vindication he had wanted.
After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. Job 42:7 NLT
Can you stand before God?
My friend, can you stand before God? Would God be able to say that you had represented Him well before others?
How we stand before God has a lot to do with with way we choose to live our lives. What kind of testimony are we making about the God we believe in? Are we faithful stewards?
I encourage you to spend some time thinking about your relationship with God and how you stand before Him.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the ways that I have misrepresented You. Help me to be a faithful witness so that I can stand before You clothed in the righteousness of Jesus and be blameless. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
Pause for Reflection
- Have you misrepresented God? As the Holy Spirit to reveal any ways you may have been an unfaithful witness.
- Think about what you know about God. Make a list that you can commit to memory.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of God’s character to you.
Other actions you can take:
