Today’s Reflection: Job 17:9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
In essence, we see here that strength is a byproduct of righteousness. “The righteous also shall hold on his way…” implies strength. Think about it; how many dangers, toils, and snares do we as Christians endure as we walk with our precious Lord? Does it not take strength to “hold on his way”? Indeed it does!
That thought is then clarified in the second half of this verse, plainly stating that “he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger”, implying that right standing with God equates with growing in strength. That said, I am brought to a point of wonder as I meditate on these great truths, and here is why.
Is it not true that the trials and tests we endure, at times, drain us of our strength? Is it not true that we can often find ourselves depleted of strength as we strive to serve our Lord? If so, then why are we taught what seems to be the opposite in our text today? Is there contradiction between what is Biblically stated, and what is realistically experienced?
Absolutely not, and here’s the explanation; our strength source is unrelated to our physical, emotion, or even mental capacities to withstand pressure. Dear friends, OUR strength is a SPIRITUAL strength, from which all other areas where we need strength receive the overflow.
And how do we become “righteous” before God? How do we find ourselves in “good standing” with The Holy One of Israel? How do we maintain “clean hands” so that we can be stronger and stronger in spirit, and thereby receive from that overflowing strength the power we need to exist and to function at our highest level in this world?
Before we answer that, let us consider first that OUR righteousness, according to the Bible, is as filthy rags. This means that if we expect OUR righteousness to strengthen us, we will be sadly disappointed. So, how do we become righteous before God?
To answer the question, we need to look no further than Philippians 3:9, which says, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
In other words, if we will place our faith in Christ, we will be robed in HIS righteousness, and as a result, be clothed in HIS strength! See Isaiah 52:1 for more insight!
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Floodgates of Heaven
Volume 2
Entry 181 of 365
Volume 2
Entry 181 of 365
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copyright © by Gary D. Caudill
copyright © by Gary D. Caudill
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