February 17, 2006, Newsletter Issue #78: Unswerving devotion

Tip of the Week

Job13 : 15
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

Job was certainly going through a hard place when he penned this verse. I am sure it wasn´t some half-hearted statement made on his behalf. Job had been living through this difficult time. I know that it is only one tiny verse, but I really want you to contemplate this verse in light of the story. (It would help if you read some of Job to refresh your mind of the circumstances of which Job had found himself in) In our culture, we have become a "wanting" people. Unfortunately this goes for Christians as well as non-Christians. Our want lists are bigger than some children´s "Santa lists." Somehow we have mixed up the Christian message and have made it into a "coke machine" mentality. Many people whom we share the gospel with, come to God expecting Him to "zap" them out of their current rough situation.....this I´m afraid is only a beginning. Then they go along wanting God to be a "genie" granting their every wish. This is not the gospel! God can and does do many great things for His people but He isn´t necessarily interested in our" creature comforts" as much as He is concerned with the welfare of our souls. Because of that, many lessons can be learned at the hand of "difficult times." Job had suffered the loss of mostly everything that he held dear. Despite all the loss, he proclaimed...even if I loss my very own life, I will still praise Him!! I can´t help but admire the character that shines out of Job´s example. It humbles me, because I know the moaning and groaning that I do and I haven´t endured the losses he experienced. I know I mentioned my friend, Pam before. She lost her husband this past year. When I look at her resolve to still praise the Lord despite the losses she has endured, I am at a loss for words to express what I feel. I see the depth of relationship she has with the Lord . It causes me to desire that strong of a walk with the Lord, that I, too, will always be able to say (and mean it of coarse) though He slay me yet will I praise Him.
On those days when I feel strong...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel weak...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel sick...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel like giving up..I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel overwhelmed...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel tempted...I will praise Him.
On those days when I feel strong... I will praise Him.
And the circle of days will go on and on....and I will praise Him!!! Let that be your resolve too!

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