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.