I heard about you, but now my own eyes are looking at you. Therefore I withdrew my words, and with sorrow I sat down in dust and ashes (Job 42: 5,6)
One teenager whose father was abusive said, “I want to be a good person like my Sunday School teacher and like you, not like my dad.”
Having known his Sunday School teacher, I agree that he is a “good” person, and I am grateful that he sees me as a “good” person too. I also want to be a person who is respectful, kind, forgiving, pure in lifestyle, and obedient to God. But I also know the sinfulness of my heart and how much I depend on God's goodness and grace.
God considered Job to be "a pious and upright man, one who feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1: 8). However, after all the trials he faced, Job said, "Therefore I take away my words, and with regret I sit in dust and ashes" (42: 6). Even after thinking of his own goodness (29: 1-25), he knew the state of his heart.
From a human perspective, many people can be described as “good” people. But God sees disobedience, selfishness, and hatred in all of us. He also knows that we have a spiritually unattended part. And when He opens our eyes to see ourselves as He does, we understand why a “good” person like Job said he took his words back.
O God, help us to be good people without neglecting our sins and unworthiness. Thank You for the forgiveness You offer us in Christ —Herb Vander Lugt
EVEN THE BEST PEOPLE HAVE NOTHING TO BAD
*) Take from Daily Meditation