It is BETTER to TRUST in God – no matter WHAT HAPPENS

 

May 28 Bible Reading: Job Chapters 13-15

It is BETTER to TRUST in God – no matter WHAT HAPPENS

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation..." (Job 13:15-16)

As Job processed his current pitiful situation, he made a very important decision that would go a long way in providing him fortitude for his arduous journey ahead.  He purposed to put himself in God’s hands despite his ignorance of God’s purposes for him. He could not save himself after all (Job 13:13–14), so no matter what God did to him—even to the point of taking his life—he would trust God completely (vv. 15–16). By thus submitting himself to God, Job was not conceding that his friends’ accusations about him were justified. Indeed, he maintained that his defense before them was indisputable (vv. 17–19).

Job then turned to the Lord with two requests and five questions. He begged for God (a) to take away His hand of wrath and (b) to deliver him from fear (vv. 20–21). He asked God (1) to reveal the gravity of his sins, (2) why God was hiding from him, (3) why God was treating him as an enemy, (4) why God was scaring him who was like a leaf tossed in the wind, and (5) why God was going after him whose life had turned to dry wood (vv. 22–25). To Job it seemed that God had put him in the impossible situation of holding him accountable for misdeeds that He refused to disclose to him (vv. 26–28). Job then concluded that human beings by nature and birth were hopelessly fragile and impaired. Their existence is temporal (Job 14:1–2), and their days were predetermined by God (vv. 3–5). It was therefore better to trust in God – no matter what happens!

Job is a good example to emulate – he resolved to trust God even though life had turned sour for him. Even though darkness was on every side, Job decided to look up to the ‘light of the world’ for guidance and comfort. During times of intense trouble, let us also resolve to trust in God and wait on Him to act on our behalf. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. (Prov 3:5-7)