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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Job 22:2-3
“Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him? What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would He gain if your ways were blameless?”
Do you see the way Satan has warped Eliphaz’s mind?
Even if you were right and good - would God be happy?
It is warped thinking because he is trying to say that ‘God is totally above man in His awesome Glory’. Which is true. And ‘thus incapable of being blessed by mankind’, which doesn’t follow. Because God is a good God, He takes delight in those who trust in Him and follow Him in sincerity, humility, truth and obedience - He even loves those who make a mess trying to do it. But how can man bless God?
The problem for Satan was that God created man. Before man came on the scene, God had only angels to worship Him, now He had mankind as well and that meant Satan had less and less attention and focus.
But why did God create man? To love Him. Yes, to love Him and serve Him. But not out of an inferiority complex or unfulfilled ego. He wanted relationship. He also wanted to share His glory and joy with more beings and so He created mankind. He looked down after He had made mankind and saw that everything was good. He was delighted and enjoyed walking in the Garden and talking with Adam and Eve. Only Satan ruined it.
“What would (God) gain if your ways were blameless?” He had already been delighted. He had boasted about Job to Satan - which had started it all. But if all our ways had been totally blameless, God would not have had to sacrifice His Son. Jesus would not have had to make that Heaven and Earth shattering cry, “My God My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Yes, God takes delight in His people. Please don’t allow the enemy to con you. God rejoices in the ways of the righteous - because He is righteous. He is constantly looking for those who honour Him (see 2 Chronicles 16:9). The more profound question that Satan prefers not to ask is - “Does (God) take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” (Ezekiel 18:23) No, He doesn’t. It gives Him no delight at all. Why? Because He has made a way whereby all may be saved from God’s wrath and come back into His Presence for eternity. Jesus paid that price for you, for me, for everyone.
His delight is when we return to Him and accept His offer of salvation. Yes, not only do we benefit from being righteous, but so does the whole of creation and God Himself (see Zephaniah 3:17) - And the angels rejoice (see Luke 15).
Notice too, how creation is waiting for the sons of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19). God was blessed by His Son on earth (Matthew 17:5). And He is not ashamed to call them (us) brothers (Hebrews 2:11) because it was always God’s plan to have many more like Jesus who would all delight Him.
Isn’t that awesome? Why not spend time delighting Him right now.
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