God is Great Regardless of the Circumstances

Today we read from Job 13, which contains one of my favorite statements in the Old Testament:

Though he slay me, I will hope in him

This reminds me of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when faced with the fiery furnace:

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. (Daniel 3:16-18)

Or as we saw in Life Group a couple of weeks ago:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3)

Job hoped in God no matter how bad things got. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would serve God even if they burned. James tells us that these trials are good.

I need to be reminded of this constantly. There is in my heart a tendency to look to this life for my joy, and to put my hope in things going well in this life. That is wrong – my hope is in the life to come. This life doesn’t need to work out, as long as I gain eternal life. That is God’s wonderful plan for my life – to get me to heaven.

Sometimes that might involve illness and loss and trials. Sometimes I might feel like he is slaying me in this life. Sometimes I might feel like I’m facing a fiery furnace. What’s important through all of that is remembering His infinite worth, and valuing it more than the circumstances of life. I will (by His sustaining power) hope in Him.

Posted by David Fenton on Oct 21, 12:00 PM