Though He Slay Me

Read Job 13

Read 2 Samuel 13

Some people get angry at God when a loved one dies. I guess they have that right, and I guess they are directing their feelings toward the responsible party: God. Yes, the truth is, though we blame death on sickness, injury, old age, accidents, wars and crime, and the like, in another sense we can say that our times are put to God.

When God wanted us to be conceived and born, we were. When God decides to take us out of this life he's going to do that. Even if the agent seems like it is someone or something else, ultimately, only God can give life and only God can take it away.

This can bring us comfort when we are afraid of all the things "out there." We know that none of them has the power to take our life if it is against God's Will. Ah, but that is where the difficulty lies. Since his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts there are lots of times where God allows a trouble, a hardship, even a death in our lives. I guess we can "blame" God, not that God is evil or would ever do anything evil (and death is certainly not a "good" part of his original Creation!) -- but we can "blame" him in the sense that we recognize that our times are in his hands.

But Job today says something very powerful. He says, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face (v. 15). Job says that even if God takes his life he will hope in God. Job even declares that he wants to plead his case before God (Job is using legal, courtroom language).

Now that's faith. We could get angry with God. We could throw a fit. We can curse God and die, as some tempted Job to do. Or we can decide to cling to him all the more tightly, to hope in him all the more, to trust him, to find our refuge in him.

Even if God's ways are hidden and seem harsh, we know that God, as he reveals himself to us, is mercy. And God wants us to plead to him, to pray, "Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy." He wants us to remind him of his promises, to plead for forgiveness, to beg for strength, and to trust that he hears and answers.

The revealed God is merciful. We see this most clearly in his Son Jesus Christ, who lovingly gave himself up on the cross for us. He was willing to receive the wrath of the Father without mercy for us. Jesus went to the cross with the attitude foreshadowed in Job, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him." And Jesus committed himself into his Father's hands as he died for us. And the Father did not disappoint. The sacrifice was accepted; the Son raised and glorified; his people shown mercy - forever...!

Today, see if you can confess "Though he slay me, I will hope in him." And have no fear. Though he take your life, he will certainly raise you up again to be with him forever. Thanks be to God!

Pray:

Pray from your heart today. Ask God for the faith to accept God's Will in your life, even if God's ways are not your ways.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!