“‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’”
– Job 1:9-11
Yesterday we learned that there are (at least) three major categories of faith highlighted in the Scriptures and that they often correspond to different seasons of our lives as Christians. Today, I want to look in more detail at the first one of those types of faith– the faith of propriety. The faith of propriety holds that because you do everything right and good, God will come through for you. In other words, because you have been wise, asked for advice, or followed a list of prescribed rules, the Lord will do what He said He would do on your behalf. This is the kind of faith that Job had at the beginning of his story; he honored God, sacrificed for God, and worshiped Him in all things, so he expected that He would come through for him. Interestingly, it was this faith of propriety that the devil came after when he first began to attack Job. Why? Because he figured that the only reason Job’s faith was great was because God had given him everything he needed and wanted in response to his faithfulness (boy was he going to be surprised!). So the faith of propriety is an expectation of the Lord’s response to our goodness, and though it’s certainly not an ideal way to believe, God still honors it. Friend, the faith of propriety is a rite of passage for believers. God may very well bless you for doing everything right; He often responds to the faithful obedience of His followers. However, it’s important to remember that, as your faith journey deepens and matures, you will outgrow the faith of weight and measures. Though it may visit you from time-to-time, a day will come when you will be challenged to trust even when things don’t go your way (and that is a good thing). Believing in the goodness of God despite external circumstances will bless you, strengthen you, and enable you to live a joy-filled life, regardless of what you go through! Isn’t that wonderful news? |
Prayer
Jesus, strengthen my faith so that I trust in you when things go my way and when they don’t.
Reflection
Do you see the faith of propriety playing out in your life? How?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.
Jesus is with me constantly in good times and in bad times. He is faithful to forgive me and love me always. It’s not about who I am; it’s about who He is. Through Him- I am. “I will fear no evil for thou art with me.” Praise God!