Monday Morning Encouragement -- Trust and Worship


"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15 NKJV)


In 1999 my husband of thirty years was hospitalized for two weeks in the cardiac intensive care unit. At the time he was in such poor shape that the top cardiologist in the area was called in to assess his condition and make recommendations. After examination, he told us that Jim's heart was the worst heart he had ever seen, and he recommended a heart transplant. But first, he would need to get Jim stabilized and strong enough to withstand the transplant. And so began a journey of uncertainty, for we had no idea how long all this would take, nor did we know if Jim would even survive. My world was turned upside down.


As I prayed and asked God to help my husband, as well as myself, I thought of Job and how his circumstances were so much worse than mine. He lost everything. His children, his possessions, his health, all in one day! Even his wife and friends turned against him. And still with his world crumbling beneath his feet, he could profess, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." And in that moment, that is the faith I wanted. That no matter my circumstances, or how dire they might be, I wanted that kind of trust in God. Deep in my heart I knew that this was the only way I could get through the days ahead. 


As it turned out, God mercifully gave Jim and I another eight years together. No heart transplant was needed. The cardiologist our Heavenly Father had brought to us used his vast experience to prescribe medications that not only stabilized Jim, but enabled him to function at a very high level. He was able to work full-time, and enjoy activities with his family and friends. God is so gracious.


I'm so grateful to the Lord for giving us more time together before finally calling Jim home in 2007.  But I'm even more grateful for the trust the Holy Spirit instilled in me. The trust that although greatly tested when I became a widow, held fast. And it has held fast to this day.  


Not not only did Job trust God, He worshiped him in the midst of the storm. When Job's servant came to tell him that all his children had died when their home collapsed on them in a mighty wind storm, we learn from Job 1:20:

"Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."


Trust and worship. This is to be our response when we face life's trials and uncertainties. All for God's glory and for our good.


Today's music video Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns reinforces the truth that Job's plight teaches us. Trust and worship.



I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.



11 comments

  1. Oh my gosh, Nancy! Reading your entry about Jim this morning, literally brought a flood of wonderful memories of the times we spent together. We had such an awesome time together. I can't believe how many memories surfaced all at once. We even came to the Lord at the same time. I really miss that. I really miss you and Jim! Love you, Karen

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    1. Thank you, dear friend. I can so clearly see God's hand in bringing us all together at that time. I think of you often. God bless you. ♥

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  2. It's good to read about the faith and trust God supplied you with.

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  3. Good Monday Nancy. This post is so true. God has the plan in good and bad times and not always on our schedule do we get the answers. We have to ride the storm and know God is with us even as scary or hurtful circumstances in life can be. Terry and I have been down this road and we trusted God even at the most dire time would protect and love us. He did it was not on our schedule but in the end of the crisis he came through and we are in a better place. Thanks for reminding us of this with your lovely post. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris

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    1. Kris, I know you and Terry have had your challenges, and yet I can see how God has provided and cared for you. So glad to know you and see Him work in your life. Hugs back atcha!

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  4. That is one of my favorite contemporary songs. So often I have praised Him in the storm in order to make it through to the sunshine again.
    Thank you for your thoughts this morning.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. I have the Casting Crowns CD with this song in my car's CD player, and play it often. I so appreciate the lyrics. God does get us through the storms of life to the sunshine. All in His timing. God bless you, Betsy. Thank you. for sharing.

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  5. Dear Nancy,
    I’m facing an issue right now, a battle with multiple myeloma cancer and your words have hit home as has what Job went through. Just putting God first in my life and hoping the new treatment I’m on works. My cancer is not curable but containable so it will be a lifetime battle for me but as long as I lean on Him and Job’s message I will live in the word to get me through.

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    1. I'm so sorry you're suffering with cancer. I've added you to my prayer list. My heart is encouraged by your words. You certainly understand how critical it is for you to "lean on Him" through the storm you are in. So glad you are walking with the Lord and trusting Him with your health and future. May He hold you fast!♥

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  6. God is so very faithful to us! I loved hearing your story of how the Lord sustained you through the difficult situation with Jim. I've had to praise the Lord many times in my life during the storm, and it brought great peace to me. Isn't it wonderful to know that the Lord is with us in the difficult turmoils that life brings us!

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Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.