Job 17:9 Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,
and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

The fact of the matter is, living in trusting obedience to God (which is the ultimate definition of righteousness) gives good results. Such a person is indeed able to hold to their ways (or preserve their path) because they are lined up with the will of God. Someone who lives that way indeed finds they go from strength to strength, because as He said to Paul, God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) This was Job’s testimony even in the middle of terrible suffering, as it has been for many, many saints since then. The key is in focusing on God rather than on ourselves, on His grace and power rather than on our suffering. If we take our eyes off of Christ, all sorts of things whip us around (Ephesians 4:14) and we can lose all semblance of stability. (James 1:6-7) As comes out from any study of righteousness in the Bible, the only righteousness that makes any real difference comes from God, and is received by faith. From the human side, we are quick to set up a set of rules as the criterion for defining righteousness, but Paul points out that such rules don’t deal with the fundamental problem of our sinful nature. (Colossians 2:23)

This is of course a reality I have to deal with as much as anyone, but as a pastor, the urgency is increased. I am concerned not only for my own way, but also for that of the sheep in my flock. If all I do is try to herd them, then there will never be an end to my labors. What I must seek to do is open the eyes of their hearts to see Christ themselves, receiving His grace and power directly, rather than my spoon feeding them. I have sought to do that for many years, actually, but with widely varying success. I am not to give up, but rather remember that it is a spiritual issue, and so do my “heavy lifting” in prayer. After all, it’s clear I can’t get the job done otherwise!

Father, thank You for yet another reminder of Your plan, for me and for the flock. Help me not try to figure out on my own how to get the job done, but rather be quiet and humble before You to hear and obey what You say to do. Thank You for the appointments You give me day by day to speak Your truth, Your light and life, into people’s hearts. May I not miss any of those by inattention or distraction, but rather be fully open as a conduit of Your grace and mercy, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!