God calls Job “blameless and upright.” That’s quite a commendation! God even brings up Job’s goodness in his discussion with Satan saying, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”  Yet there is only one thing about Job’s life that is described. It’s something, however, that is shared by many biblical characters. And it seems to be commended always.

Have you ever noticed that the heroes of the Bible often met with God at daybreak to seek His leading? For example, Abraham got up very early to stand before the Lord (Gen. 19:27). Jacob woke up with the first light of the morning to worship God after having seen a vision of angels in the night (Gen. 28:18). Moses went early to meet the Lord at Sinai (Ex. 34:4). Joshua got an early start when he prepared to capture Jericho (Josh. 6:12). Gideon made his way at dawn to examine the fleece he had placed on the ground to discern Jehovah’s will (Jud. 6:38).  And in today’s Scripture we learn that Job left his bed at an early hour to offer sacrifices to the Lord in behalf of his children (Job 1:5). It says, “He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings …Thus Job did continually.”

I’ve always been a morning person. That’s probably because of my years in the Navy when I didn’t have any choice. Therefore, for me, it’s best to follow Job’s example. I get up early and do my reading and devotion and praying.

But for others, that just doesn’t work well. Max Lucado admits that he works best at night when everyone is asleep. He says, “I tried the early morning hours, which for some reason seemed more righteous—but the tow truck I needed to pull me out of bed couldn’t make it up the stairs.” So he regularly spends his evening hours after everyone else is in bed with God.

Verse 5 ends, “Thus Job did continually.” Whatever is best for us, we should make it a habit.

Chuck

“Job was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” Job 1:1