I got this from my father and thought I would pass it on to you all.
Job 13:15
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
Total Trust
Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging storm at sea. Seeing his wife’s fear, the man tried to comfort her. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?" He stepped back and drew his sword. Pointing it at her, he asked, "Are you afraid of this?" "Of course not!" she answered. "Why not?" he inquired. "Because I know you love me too much to hurt me," she said. He replied, "I also know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He loves us too much to fail to care for us!"
Job had that same trust. He had lost his children, his wealth and his health. Even his wife had turned against him. He had only one more thing to lose—his own life. Yet Job declared that even if it were to come down to that final loss, he would continue to trust that God had a purpose in everything that happened to him. In Job’s eyes, the important issue was not what was happening but whose hand was behind it. If God did it, Job knew he could trust it.
Often our trust is based on the "what" rather than the "who." We focus on the event rather than the One who controls that event. Consequently, when trials and tribulations come crashing down upon us, our faith is shaken. We can’t understand why a loving Heavenly Father would allow such grief to enter our lives. Yet if we truly believe that He is loving, we can say with Job that even though He slay us, we will believe He intends it for our good. In His infinite wisdom and goodness, He will take the most difficult circumstances and use them for our good.
When you are facing life’s most severe trials, focus on the character of God. Build your trust on who God is, not on what is taking place. When you know who He is, you never have to worry about what He will allow to happen.
Trust is based on character, not circumstances.
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4 comments:
Trust is based on character, not circumstances.
Amen, and amen!
The most famous scripture in the Bible affirming God's good purposes for those who are his (Romans 8:28) is quickly followed by explanations which demonstrate that these good purposes do not preclude troubles of the worst sort (Romans 8:35-39), but that, indeed, these troubles cannot prevent God's purpose from coming to fruition. Nothing can separate us from his love ... not even being counted as sheep for the slaughter all the day long
The passage Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? is certainly reminiscent of Job, who was charged. Nevertheless, it is God who justifies.
Thank you for reminding us that God can be trusted, even when our circumstances are most dire.
Rom 8:28-39 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. {29} For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. {31} What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? {33} Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. {34} Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." {37} Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. {38} For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, {39} 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.
JFC, thank you for all of the scripture confirmations and encouragements.
Heidi, Glad to hear from you. :-) You are very welcomed. I am so happy that took a moment to comment.
A
Thankyou for sharing that. I ditto JFC. Amen and amen!
Thank you for your comment Luke. The Lord is always faithful even we can not see His hands, we can trust His heart.
Deborah Anne, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I know what you mean about Job, every time I read the book of Job I am amazed and can't help but wonder if I would do even half as well as he did. I hope & pray I would. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
Lyssa, You threw me when I saw it was from M, but had your name on it. :-) I am glad that you got to read this one and it encouraged you. God promises never to leave us nor forsake us. Don't loss heart.
A
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