When we feel hopeless the question becomes, “Who is our Hope?” Who will I trust beyond my current circumstance? Who is Truth above all other wisdom of mankind who knows how this will turn out for my good? People of wisdom seek mercy from the One who faithfully provides new mercies each morning, extends boundless unending grace all because of a love that is beyond our thinking that is relentless, gracious, compassionate, and faithful.
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided; Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.
After his three friends have had their say in the matter of Job’s demise; Job responds with a phrase I have trained myself to use when troubles pile up with seemingly no end or resolution in sight— “Yet, will I trust you.” When we come to the end of our resources the greatest position to take is on our knees, look up to God, and ask for His wisdom on the matter with complete trust in God. He is God. We are not.
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” is a profound declaration of faith from Job 13:15 (KJV) and it should be ours as we face troubles in our world. The words, said from a heart after God’s heart, signifies an unwavering, absolute trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, even in the face of extreme suffering and loss. Job is telling his friends while reminding himself who God is. God is God and we are not!
Job 12
Then Job replied:
2 “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
and wisdom will die with you!
3 But I have a mind as well as you;
I am not inferior to you.
Who does not know all these things?
4 “I have become a laughingstock to my friends,
though I called on God and he answered—
a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!
5 Those who are at ease have contempt for misfortune
as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,
and those who provoke God are secure—
those God has in his hand.
7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9 Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
10 In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.
11 Does not the ear test words
as the tongue tastes food?
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?
Does not long life bring understanding?
13 “To God belong wisdom and power;
counsel and understanding are his.
14 What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;
those he imprisons cannot be released.
15 If he holds back the waters, there is drought;
if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
16 To him belong strength and insight;
both deceived and deceiver are his.
17 He leads rulers away stripped
and makes fools of judges.
18 He takes off the shackles put on by kings
and ties a loincloth around their waist.
19 He leads priests away stripped
and overthrows officials long established.
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
and takes away the discernment of elders.
21 He pours contempt on nobles
and disarms the mighty.
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness
and brings utter darkness into the light.
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;
he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
he makes them wander in a trackless waste.
25 They grope in darkness with no light;
he makes them stagger like drunkards.
Job 13
My eyes have seen all this,
my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies;
you are worthless physicians, all of you!
5 If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.
6 Hear now my argument;
listen to the pleas of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
Will you speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show him partiality?
Will you argue the case for God?
9 Would it turn out well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
10 He would surely call you to account
if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you?
Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 “Keep silent and let me speak;
then let come to me what may.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
and take my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless person would dare come before him!
17 Listen carefully to what I say;
let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,
I know I will be vindicated.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?
If so, I will be silent and die.
20 “Only grant me these two things, God,
and then I will not hide from you:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me,
and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then summon me and I will answer,
or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
Show me my offense and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face
and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf?
Will you chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write down bitter things against me
and make me reap the sins of my youth.
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;
you keep close watch on all my paths
by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
28 “So man wastes away like something rotten,
like a garment eaten by moths.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Here’s what we learn from these two chapters:
- Context of Trial: Job speaks these words while having lost his children, wealth, and health, and being accused by his friends. “You must have sinned against God for God to allow this to happen to you.” Evaluate yourself, his friends advise.
- Definition of Faith: The words of Job represent a “faith of desperation” that goes beyond mere obedience, choosing to believe in God’s character despite contradictory circumstances. “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” (Job 12:13) He is God, we are not.
- The word “slay” expresses the conviction that even if God’s actions result in Job’s death, Job will not abandon his trust in Him. (Job 13:15)
- Alternative Translations: While the KJV uses “trust,” other translations like the NIV that we read to today uses the word “hope,” highlighting a steadfast expectation of ultimate vindication. Paul likes to use the words, expectant hope!
How do we respond? With complete, undying, relentless trust with expectant hope in God our Savior, Deliverer, and Lord!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided; Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. (Hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness, by Thomas Chisolm, 1923)
The Apostle Paul writes throughout his letters to the churches in his day of struggling to stay alive because of constant persecution for believing in Jesus. He passionately encourages all believers, in spite of trials and persecutions to live with expectant, joyful hope, rooted in the certainty of God’s promises, the resurrection of Christ, and the anticipation of future glory. There’s a better Day coming!
Our Living Hope is Jesus! Paul often links to endurance in suffering, encourages believers to remain faithful, knowing that their present, temporary trials are not comparable to the eternal future blessings awaiting them. THIS is the trust we have in the Person of Jesus who defines hope and give us identity in Him.
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”—Paul, 2 Timothy 1:9-12 NIV
We respond with radical trust and expectant hope which will not always have an immediate logical reason for mankind as we commit to the One we have believed, who died and rose again to provide our blessed assurance of life eternal!
“But I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.” (Hymn composer, Daniel Whillette, 1883)
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” Jude 1:24-25, NIV
“I know not when my Lord may come, At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him, Or meet Him in the air.
But “I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.”
Lord,
I give myself to you as an offering of humbled gratitude for all you have given to me—namely, Life!
In Jesus Name, Amen
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 
Such a powerful little 3 letter word, yet is.
LikeLike