In God We Trust
Today’s Verse:
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. ~Job 13:15
“In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States of America and of the U.S. state of Florida. It was adopted as the nation’s motto in 1956 as a replacement or alternative to the unofficial motto of “E pluribus unum,” [1] which was adopted when the Great Seal of the United States was created and adopted in 1782 [2]. This morning, we are considering a powerful statement of decision by the patriarch Job.
We see Job and his unsettling difficulties.
Job was going through an incredible time of affliction, hardship, and suffering. In one day, he lost all of his children, all of his livestock, and all of his servants. His losses were innumerable and beyond recovery. Not long after these casualties, he was disabled by a severe health condition that rendered him almost unrecognizable and in much pain. Then, to add insult to injury, his wife in bitterness told him to curse God and die. Job was in the pits! The old southern hymn writer wrote, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen!” That’s what Job was going through! He was languishing and lonely.
We see Job and his unspeakable defamation.
He had three friends that he fellowshipped with much. These men heard what happened to Job, and out of pity and friendship came to him. When they saw him, they were shaken and in shock. He was in such bad condition that they assumed that Job must have committed numerous unconfessed sins. Much of the Bible contains stories of people who made a presumptuous decision about other people based on hearsay, visual perception, or wrong information. These three friends quickly turned from expressing sympathy to expressing judgment upon Job. They concluded Job must have done terrible sins and was unrepentant. These men defamed Job and made numerous false accusations against him. They hurt him so bad, he called them forgers of lies and physicians of no value.
We see Job and his unshakable dependence.
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” In spite of being down, distressed, and possibly in depression, Job said something that should bolster our faith this morning. He said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” Job demonstrated an unshakable trust in God! He said, “Even if God wants to kill me, it does not change the fact that I trust in him!” He was trusting in God’s plan for his life! He was trusting in God’s peace for his life! He was trusting in God’s power for his life! He was trusting in God’s pathway for his life. He was saying like one songwriter, “Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus; I’ve learned to trust in God.” He was saying that even if the trial results in a premature death, I will still trust in God to the very end. That is trust that is absolute and unwavering!
We see Job and his unswerving devotion.
“But I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Not only did he testify of his dependence, he testified of his devotion! He let it be known that as long as his trial was in his life, he would remain devoted to God. He did not allow the trial to drive him farther from God, but rather closer to God. He determined that he would look upwards and not downwards. He made his time in the word and prayer more intense and increasing as the trial continued. He made sure that even though he was suffering, people would know that he loved God and would not say ill of God. The greatest steps we must take in a trial is to remain unreservedly devoted to God.
Three boys gave their definition of trust: One said, “Faith is taking hold of God.” The second said, “Faith is holding on to God.” A third said, “Faith is not letting go!” Each boy was right. (Source: Knight’s Treasury of Illustrations, Walter B. Knight) However, Job makes an emphatic statement to encourage us in our faith and trust: though he slay me, yet will I trust him! Don’t give up on trusting God!
Have a trust-filled God Morning!
[1] “Text of H.J.Res. 396 (84th): Joint resolution to establish a national motto of the United States (Passed Congress version) – GovTrack.us”. GovTrack.us.
[2] (Greatseal.com. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2012-04-28)
Bible Reading Schedule: Luke 1