The book of Job details Job’s loss of children, servants, and possessions (Job 1:14-19). After Satan also harmed Job physically (Job 2:7), Job’s wife asked, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die” (Job 2:9).
Job did not understand why his sufferings came upon him. Despite his uncertainties, Job answered his wife, “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (verse 10).
As Job indicated, obedience to God should not be grounded on having our way.
The song “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” expresses a mindset that is pleasing to God. “Mold me and make me after thy will” is very different from, “if God makes my life what I want, then I will serve Him.”
The latter mindset is one of selfishness.
Loving God with all of the heart, soul, mind, and strength leads to pleasing God, controlling what we should, and being content with things out of our control.
Job’s wife saw obedience as something that is contingent on God giving us what we want. Job saw obedience as something that comes with no contingencies.
The answer to the question, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity?” should always be, “Yes.” Our obedience must be strong, in good times and bad.
– Michael Hickox