Daily Manna
Called to Good Deeds
Friday, December 8, 2023
Key Verse
“What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?” (Job 31:14).
TEXT — Job 31:13-23
Message
Job knew his calling, having first responded to God’s invitation to righteousness that unveiled itself in his relationship with those in his circle. He gave of his possessions to the needy and shared his food with the hungry. When he saw the unclad, he provided clothing. How about the fatherless? He rushed to give them comfort, as commanded by the Lord. God said of him, “…there is none like him”.
Why was Job moved to these enviable acts of righteousness? He provides the answer himself. “What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?” Job did not want to be like Adam who had nothing good to say about his deeds when the Lord visited “in the cool of the day”. So he piled up acts pleasing to his Lord, according to his appellation as “one that feareth God, and escheweth evil”.
The Lord is keeping a record of all our deeds. They are open to Him. Whether we state them plainly as Job did or we do not, the all-seeing God knows them. These deeds are also not hidden from us. Nehemiah knew his and he repeatedly reminded God to remember him. Mordecai had his recorded in a book which God caused to be opened one night and rewarded by the then King. The fear of God motivated them to always do good to others.
The day draws near when the Lord will perform a spiritual audit. When He visits, what acts will He find in your name? Will He find deeds of mercy according to His will, or works of wickedness and worldliness? Where are the souls you have won for Jesus? Job feared God and so he prepared for Him by yielding to His word: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).
Thought for the day
It is damning to meet the Lord empty-handed.
BIBLE
in one year
AMOS 6 – 9
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