Living In The Land Of Uz

Living in the land of Uz

Introduction: Spurgeon once said “that church which the world loves best is sure to be that which God abhors.” One must decide 'Do I wish to please God or please man?' Even outside of church we must make daily decisions where we ask ourselves 'Do I wish to please God or please man?'

In our country today we are seeing more and more wickedness and godlessness. Firstly, we see godlessness in our work ethic, we see more of an acceptance to not work rather than to work. Even though 1 Timothy 5:8 says those who don't provide for their family is worse than an unbeliever.

I Thessalonians 3:10 says those who are unwilling to work should not eat. Now I am not talking about those who would work but can't but all those who are able to work should. God designed man to work and not to be idle. When we are idle we tempt the devil to tempt us. Secondly, we also see godlessness in marriage and family. I don't have to tell you how our culture glamorizes anything that contradicts nature. God makes this one male yet he shakes his fist at God and says No! I want to be female! Our culture says “Good for you!” Another one says “I am gay” and our culture says “that's great, be proud of that!” And another woman who has just had her 5th abortion and our land cheers for her right to do so “Way to Go! Isn't it great that she can choose death over life!” Thirdly, we see godlessness in our idols. That is anything that we put before God. Did you know that Bartenders outnumber clergy today by 12 to 1! We had millions of people falling all over themselves to see the pope. We treat celebrities like gods, if we can only see them, touch them, etc. Finally we see godlessness in pornography which our country ranks number 1 producer of! Did you know that 64% of Christian men (ages 31-49) look at pornography at least once a month. Did you know that 77% of Christian men (ages 18-30) look at pornography at least once a month. Ruth Graham once quipped that if God didn't judge America he would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. Its fair to say that we live in a godless land. This morning we will look at a man who also lived in a godless land:

Job 1:1 – “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”

The land of Uz was a wicked an idolatrous place. But just as Abraham was the patriarch of faith, living in the land of Ur and Lot was considered a righteous man living in Sodom, Job was a blameless and upright man who feared God and shunned evil, even while living in the land of Uz. It is possible to be a godly person in a godless land. Living as a devout Christian in such a wicked and idolatrous place may be distressing, but its to God's glory and to the honor of those who do it.

Transition: You can expect at least four things living a godly life in an ungodly land

I. You can expect God's admiration

There is no one to please but ourselves if this isn't the case. We should want to bring glory to the Lord, through our good works. “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 living godly is sure to please God. Those who take after their father's good qualities are sure to be his favorite. Those who do their best to please him are certain to do so.

God's admiration of Job is seen in his blessing. He had 7 sons and 3 daughters, He was blessed with 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 ox and 500 donkeys, He had many servants to help him manage all his possessions. He was somewhat famous for all he had and he enjoyed feasts with his family and friends. (1:2-5)

Job 1:6,7 [read]

Now we see how God's admiration is seen in his words. “The LORD said to Satan have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8

God brags about his servant Job like a father would brag about his quarterback son winning the state championship game. Whenever Satan was called to account for what he was doing, he boasts that he was roaming the earth like a lion. God knew that Satan had been marching so proudly all over his earth ruining this person and wrecking that one. He was swinging his weight around like a prince in his kingdom, never being challenged or hindered by anyone and then God asks Satan “Have you considered my servant Job” He reminds the devil that there is still a good man in the land. Satan may have dominion over Uz but not this one righteous man who lived there. There was at least one man with the backbone to stand against him, one that will not be so easily foiled nor fooled. God must have smiled to see his servant Job standing in perfect loyalty to God, blameless and upright.