JOB 13:15 – “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.”
THEME OF THE DAY: REAL FAITH IN ACTION. How would we explain the main themes in the Old Testament book of Job to young believers? We may say, “Job is about suffering.” This is the most popular answer and a right one too! Job suffered tremendously and the book bearing his name details his painful journey. Another right answer describing a theme of Job is the primary one – the sovereignty of God. We are taken to view the spiritual conflict between God and Satan in the first two chapters and the truth of God’s complete control of all things is revealed as restraints are put on Satan, and Job is protected.
Another lesson is Job’s response to his suffering. All throughout his ordeal, he grows impatient, combative, even complaining to God, but not at the end. He learns to see himself as he really is and God as He really is. We find this lesson expounded in the last chapter of the book after the Lord confronted him with a series of questions designed to humble Job –“Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes”” (Job 42:1-6).
Today’s scripture exposes us to another lesson from Job, and it is very important. It is a lesson on real faith. By the time we get to chapter thirteen, Job has reached a saturation point in his pain. It is the darkest of times for him. His physical suffering is nearly unbearable as is his emotional and spiritual suffering. Yet, here is where faith shines the brightest. Job makes this staggering profession of real faith – “though God slay me, I will hope or trust in Him”. This man of God would not allow pain and the emotions in his pain to smother his faith. No matter what God’s providence brought him, Job would maintain his trust in the Lord.
His example of real faith also appears further in the book. It, too, is a familiar text – “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10). The action of faith Job models in both verses is his confidence in the Lord. Real faith rests in the God who is unchanging and trustworthy, and only proved during the most difficult of circumstances in life. Like Job, we will have our faith tested, and it will prove real in the fiery furnaces of affliction. And like Job, we shall come forth like gold, and be able to say “Though He slay me, I will trust Him.” That is real faith in action, the faith that saves and keeps us all the way to heaven.
PRAYER: Father, may I endure the trials of my faith to prove the genuineness of my faith.
REFLECTION: Trials are designed to not only affirm the presence of true faith but strengthen it.