"Though He slay me, I will trust Him" Job. I'm sure you are familiar with Job's story...maybe a bit too familiar. All of us have had “Job” like experiences in our journey. He lost everything that he cherished: family, lands, riches, friends, health-on the brink of death. But there is one thing he did not lose...his faith in a Faithful and Sovereign God.
This was in light of the fact that Satan had been given permission to test his faith. That is one Biblical story we will never be able to wrap our theology (or understanding of God) around. I don't have the answer to Job's or my experience. I am just beginning to understand that our faith is that important to God!
The very thing that is most at stake in our struggles, losses, historical issues, besetting sin, and even dashed hopes; is our Faith. It seems to be easier to walk by faith when things are going relatively well. Is that a fair assessment? Paul provides an excellent perspective on this reality and faith dilemma.
"Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready to make the accusation that since people like me, who go through Christ in order to get things right with God, aren't perfectly virtuous, Christ must therefore be an accessory to sin? (Job could have made that same accusation of God-but he did not).
The accusation is frivolous. If I was "trying to be good," I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting like a charlatan. What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it.
I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I am not going to go back on that" Galatians 2:17-21, The Message (parentheses mine).
I believe all of us are somewhere on a continuum of this faith journey. We may not yet be as far along as either Job or Paul. Remember, both of those men suffered incalculable losses and seeming injustices. I have felt that way-especially in the last year. I can't yet say that I am as far along in faith as either Job or Paul, but I am further along than I was-by the sheer grace and mercy of God.
The fact and spiritual reality I am most convinced of is that no matter what happens, I must align my identity with Christ. And trust what He has done and is doing for all who come to Him by faith. The life we so desire to live must be lived by faith (or as other translations put it, 'the faith of') in the Son of God, who loves us and has given Himself for us. That „faith‟ will nurture through the toughest of times.
In the grip of the faith and faithfulness of Christ! Ron Ross
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