The righteous shall hold on his way

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9

It is truly amazing that Job says this when he says it. For Job considered himself to be righteous. But he also said, "My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. . . . My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. . . . And where is now my hope? As for my hope, who shall see it?" (Job. 17:1, 11, 15). Job was certainly not at the time going from strength to strength. And yet he avers, "The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger."

I think it is very instructive that despite his terrible and tragic circumstances and losses, Job never wavered in his commitment to godliness and righteousness. He does seem to question God's goodness from time to time, but at the same time he never wavers from his duty toward God. He never for a moment seriously contemplates turning against God, even when it seemed that God was against him.

Why? Well, what Job says in 17:9 points us to the answer. Job never really gave up hope. He was convinced that in the end he would be vindicated, and that his present weakness would one day give way to increasing strength (which is what happened). As a result, he was committed to holding on his way, a way of trust in God and obedience to God.

In the same way, we need to let the light of Biblical hope inspire us to persevere when we are most tempted to give up. For the reality is that, whatever our current weakness, it will by God's grace, and according to God's promise in Christ, give way to strength. And one day there will be no more weakness, but only never-ending and ever-increasing joy in the presence of the Blessed God. Believer, hold on your way!