Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him. This sentiment is founded on the belief that God is our sole strength and refuge; that if good is in any way in store for us, it lies with God; if it is attainable, it is attained by coming to God. Inquirers seeking the truth, prodigals repentant, saints rejoicing in the light, saints walking in darkness — all of them have one word on their lips, one creed in their hearts. "Trust ye in the Lord forever." There is another case, in which it is equally our wisdom and duty to stay ourselves upon God; that of our being actually under punishment for our sins. Men may be conscious that they have incurred God's displeasure, and conscious that they are suffering it; and then their duty is still to trust in God, to acquiesce, or rather to concur in His chastisements. Scripture affords us some remarkable instances of persons glorifying, or called on to glorify God when under His hand. See Joshua's exhortation to Achan. The address of Jonah to God from the fish's belly. It should not be difficult to realise the state of mind described in the text, and yet some find difficulty in conceiving how Christians can have hope without certainty, sorrow and pain without gloom, suspense with calmness and confidence. I proceed then to describe this state of mind. Suppose a good man, who is conscious of some deliberate sin or sins in time past, some course of sin, or in later life has detected himself in some secret and subtle sin, what will be his state when the conviction of his sin, whatever it is, breaks upon him? Will he think himself utterly out of God's favour? He will not despair. Will he take up the notion that God has forgiven him? He has two feelings at once — one of present enjoyment, and another of undefined apprehension, and on looking on to the day of judgment, hope and fear both rise within him. (J. H. Newman, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.WEB: Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him. |
    |