The walk of faith is not the same day in and day out. Neither does God intend for us to remain the way we are. Faith leads us to higher and higher ground. The path to higher ground is always down.
"Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed" (Isaiah 66:1-5). The word "humble" means among other things, depressed, pressed down. The way up is down.
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10).
Job was no different than the rest of us. No one wants to throw himself onto the fire. Few of us can or will. It is unnatural for the flesh to want to suffer. No one wants their loved ones to suffer. This is even worse. So we say to ourselves, "Let's take out fire insurance. If we just do everything 'right' this will please God. Let's get those bulls and goats and throw ‘em on the fire. Get that burnt offering going! That way we won't have to go through the fires ourselves!"
This kind of thinking reflects an incorrect understanding of the ways of God. It is also typical of people who who love God. Job's propriety, the attitude that we can live right enough to please God, is exactly what God was working on. Sin is not so much about morality and immorality as it is about our claim to our right to ourselves, but self is what must be thrown into the flames.
Sacrifice and burnt offering were the order of Job's day. The Lord says over and over through His Word, however, that sacrifice and burnt offering are not what He desires. Let's look at what He does desire of us.
"For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 5l:16-l7).
"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened; burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:6-8).
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15).
"I will praise the name of God with song, And shall magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the Lord better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs. The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive" (Psalm 69:30-31).
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Romans 12:1-2)
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