Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

Things don’t always work out the way we want. Sometimes, instead of the blessings that were promised, we see problems. Sometimes, instead of the victories that were guaranteed, we see defeats. What should a person of faith do under such circumstances? Should we give up? Should we quit the calling that has led us to this point? After all, things haven’t gone according to plan. Is it time to finally allow despair into our hearts?

When things degenerate to the point where there seems to be no possibility of return, or even a possibility of death, should we stop believing in God? Stop having faith in Him? If we seek His presence and it doesn’t translate into anything concrete, then what’s the point of seeking His presence at all?

For the person of true faith, however, these options have no bearing. When it comes to faith in God, it’s an all-or-nothing proposition. There is no other option. There is no alternative to faith in God. We can’t opt out of trust because we know God. We know that despite everything, He is sovereign and good. There is no one wiser to turn to.

Therefore, though there seems no hope of victory, though death rears its ugly head, we trust in God. We’re not in it to simply get things for ourselves; we’re not in it just to live and not die; we’re in it because we believe in God. We can’t turn back. Like Peter answering to Jesus, we say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:66-69). Death may swallow us up, but we trust God to lead us through it to victory on the other side.

Today, meditate on the words of Job: “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.” There is probably nothing you are going through that surpasses what Job went through, yet he never gave up hope. If Job could find hope, then there is also hope for you.

By John Huisman, friend of Bible League International