The story of Job is one of the most unique stories in the Bible. It begins with Satan entering into the presence of God with some of the angels of heaven (Job 1:6). God was so impressed with Job that He bragged about him to the devil.

Job 1:8 (ESV)
⁸ And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

Job was blameless and upright and did his best to stay away from all things that were evil. Most of us know the story. Satan was not impressed with Job. He believed he was only good because of all that God was doing for him.

Job 1:9-11 (ESV)
⁹ Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”

God granted Satan’s wish, and the devil ultimately took everything from Job. He lost all his physi-cal possessions, his ten children, and finally his health. Still, while the devil believed that Job would curse God to his face (Job 1:11), he did not do it. Instead, he uttered these now famous words:

Job 1:21-22 (ESV)
²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

This statement actually came before Satan attacked Job the second time and took his health away, but Job’s attitude never changed. Why did he not curse God? Because he was not only upright and blameless, he feared God (ver. 8). Now, what do we learn from Job’s reverent fear of God?

We learn that if we truly fear God, we will do all in our power to refrain from evil. Paul spoke of this mentality in the book of Romans.

Romans 12:9 (ESV)
⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

We know that Job held fast to what is good, but he also abhorred evil. Godly fear does not flirt with sin. The stakes are too high, and the one who has proper respect for God knows that it is a fearful thing to fall into His hands (Hebrews 10:31).

We also learn from Job that if we fear God, no amount of suffering or heartbreak in life will cause us to behave disrespectfully towards Him. Job never considered cursing God to His face. We should not ever disrespect God either; not by our words, our actions, our dress, or in any other way. And, if we fear God, like Job, we will never even consider it.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.