THOUGH HE SLAY ME

Job made this most profound statement when he was in terrible pain and suffering. He had lost his children, his wealth, and his health. No one was there to comfort him. His 'so-called' friends maligned him and his wife told him to curse God and die. 

But despite everything he was going through, Job's faith in God was steadfast ... Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. (Job 13:15) 

This brief declaration has challenged believers throughout history. The weight of those words causes us to wonder if our faith carries the same conviction, especially in times of trial. 

Spurgeon - Job does not say, 'Though I die', but 'Though He slay me.' He does not say, 'Though He permits me to be slain', but 'Though He slay me'; in other words ... 'Though He should seem to be so much my enemy as to turn round and kill me, though I may not believe His action, I will believe Himself. I will believe His infallible Word, even though He slay me'.

In unimaginable pain, Job remembered the sovereignty of God ... 'The Lord brings death and gives life; He sends some down to Sheol, and He raises others up'. (1 Samuel 2:6). 

Even if God’s plan resulted in his death, Job continued to trust Him. Nothing could shake his faith because he was grounded in the knowledge of the Lord's goodness. He may not have understood what was happening to him and why ... but Job knew that God's divine nature was one of love. 

And that is what we as Christians cling to today ... 

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Devoted followers of Christ understand that pain is a temporary human condition. For those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, suffering will come to an abrupt end. They see this life as a brief step toward their eternal home. 

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14)

Paul echoed Job’s statement of faith ... 

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20) 

When you don't understand the reason for suffering, will you trust that God is in control? If there is no unrepented sin weighing you down, His divine plan may be to bring about spiritual growth. The process of sanctification can seem hurtful at times, but He is a just, faithful, and merciful God. The Lord knows how much you can endure while being transformed into the likeness of His Son ...

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Oh that we might be as Job; completely surrendered to God's oversight and divine will ... even when we don't understand (and even at the point of death).