“My servant Job will pray…” Job 42:8b

God instructed Eliphaz to take seven bulls and seven rams and present them to Job as a sacrifice to The Almighty (v.8a). In the instructions, Job was directed to pray for Eliphaz and his friends once the sacrifice was presented (v.8c). Chastising Eliphaz further, God stated He would not deal with Eliphaz according to his folly – for not speaking the truth about God’s character of mercy and grace (v.8c&d).

In the middle of God’s redemptive reprimand, Job was singled-out as the acceptable servant whose prayers would gain the attention of Heaven’s King. Three times in verse eight, God referred to Job as, “…My servant…”. God conferred upon Job before Eliphaz and his friends the same recognition given him in the halls of heaven, when the angels accounted for their activity before God. (see Job 1:8, and 2:3) Job’s significance came from his humble servitude to God. Job’s life-attitude was as God’s servant.

The one defining behavior that best describes servants of God is prayer. True servants of God enter into a holy conversation with Him often and unhindered. They are fully welcomed into God’s presence because God is fully welcomed into their lives. The conversations between Heaven’s benevolent Master and earth’s heavenly commissioned servants are of such importance for breaking down strong-holds, employing legions of angels, and standing in the gap for those laden by sickness or other intercessory needs.

There are good servants and bad servants, just as there are good cops and bad cops, good people and bad people. The best servants are those who know their defined role and perform their duties to the best of their ability… often going beyond what is expected. It is the same attitude Christ exhibited when He left Heaven’s glory and came to earth. The apostle Paul explained it this way:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6 – 11)

God always rewards a servant heart… the glad attitude of doing one’s best for The Master… even if it means all one may get is a rusty nail. We see, then, that Job was a type of Christ, seen in his humble attitude and whole-hearted service to God. What about us? How are we mirroring the heart of Christ before a watching world? How are we to build bridges of hope to those blind to God’s ever-reaching love?

You’re the only Jesus some may ever see.

Have a blessed day…