“He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength:
who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?”
(Job 9:4)
Almost two thousand years ago Jesus Christ, the blessed Ambassador of heaven, came to earth and accomplished the necessary work to secure an everlasting covenant of peace between God and man (Heb. 9:24-26). This irrevocable covenant was confirmed by the blood of the Lamb and the oath of God. “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy upon thee,” (Isa. 54:10).
With what great reverence and reception should we receive this Lord Jesus, the Son of God and mighty King of heaven and earth? Thomas De Laune said, “We must receive the terms of peace offered to us by Jesus Christ, and stubbornly stand out no longer. It is your wisdom to submit and yield speedily to him, for fear lest it should be said to you, as once to Jerusalem, ‘If thou, even thou, had known in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes; now it is too late.’”[1]
The first covenant which God established between himself and Adam (the Covenant of Works) was breached by the Fall. Adam knowingly chose to break the terms of this covenant by his disobedience. But no sooner was it done than he realized a mere man possesses nothing remotely sufficient to hold a position against God. As our text says, “Whoever hardened himself against him and prospered?” Who can stand before his indignation? Do we dare strive with our Maker? Do we risk everything to join forces with his enemy?
Consider the degree to which God establishes his covenant! Though he is the offended party, he willingly offers mercy, grace, and reconciliation. How often by his ministers has he invited you to step out of your darkness and into his light? What glorious promises he offers to pardon and forgive all past treasons if you will come in and receive his good and peaceable terms!
O how tragic it would be if your opportunity is lost because you delayed until his offer of salvation was removed and the door was closed. “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you,” (Isa. 55:3). Make haste to come to him. Do not delay, for now is the day of your salvation.
And if you know Christ as Savior, beware that you do not resist his work of sanctification. Do not stand in opposition or defiance against his word of truth in any form or manner, for we cannot harden our hearts against the God of heaven and prosper! (Job 9:4).
Contemplations:
- Lord, help me abolish my confederacy with sin of any kind. Help me put away all my choice sins. Help me mortify the deeds of the body that I may fully know your peace.
- Lord, I confess all my former and current rebellions, unbelief, earthly-mindedness, pride, passion, lying, drunkenness… yes, all sins. And I now forsake them all to follow you without reservation. Help me take hold of Christ so that I may receive the atonement he has made for me and seek to please you in that blessed eternal covenant I have with you.
- We see in your Word, Lord, that all who reject you, the great Ambassador of peace, are undone for all eternity. Give me grace, Father, that I may always stand with you and never be found standing against you!
Further References for Job 9:4:
Job 12:13; Prov. 28:14; Isa. 40:26; Eph. 3:20
[1] Thomas De Laune, Tropologia, (London: John Richardson and John Darby, 1681), 234.
