Though He Slay Me

Be Still My Soul

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” Job 13:15

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.What powerful words Job speaks! Who would hope so much and still proclaim such trust after thinking that God had stabbed him? This is what Job models for us. This is exactly what God has instructed us to do through His Word. He wants us to trust Him even when we think He has stabbed us in the back. He wants us to receive our trials and suffering with faith and hope. There are so many blessings in our sufferings! Suffering perfects our faith.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:6-9).

So often, we question ourselves, but then others also doubt us when they see us suffering as in the case of Job. They wonder why this is happening to us. We are overwhelmed with many questions! Why won’t God let me get pregnant? Why won’t God heal my child? Why did my loved one die? Why did my spouse leave me for someone else? Why did my friend marry so much better than I did? Why am I lingering in so much loneliness and pain? What is wrong with me? Is it disobedience in me or some hidden sin that I need to repent of? Is there a lesson I need to learn? The questions are numerous. Job’s example reveals to us that these kinds of questions miss the point of what truly is going on. Of course, when we find ourselves amid our long-term suffering, we tend to react this way, missing out on the importance of our suffering.

Job did not need to learn any lesson when he was chosen to suffer, though he surely learned some valuable lessons along the way. God was not trying to correct any flaw or sin leading Job to repent. It was God’s testimony about His heavenly rule. It was about silencing Satan.

I. GOD’S PURPOSE IN OUR SUFFERINGS:

Job’s suffering seems a bit unfair, maybe even wrong. For God to let Satan stretch out his hand against all that belonged to Job does not seem right. But we must remember that God restrains Satan in what he might do in our lives. We must see Satan’s limitations. Although it may seem that God was unfair to Job, there are many things that we do not understand. Nevertheless, we must cling to the God of all Scripture. He is good, righteous, loving, longsuffering, steadfast. We must always remember God’s ways are not our ways. If God allows Satan to tempt us, all Satan does will be calculated for our own good. It will work out for our good. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

We must learn like Job to know our own insignificance compared to God, the Great I AM. Remember, God never answers Job’s questions. Instead, He questions Job. But Job does not complain. He repents. Job admits his failure in speaking of things he could not know or understand. In the same way, we must acknowledge and accept that God is God, and we are not. We must learn with God’s help that we cannot fathom all His ways, but we can trust Him!

Consider God’s purposes in our sufferings: 

  • Suffering increases our consciousness of the power, sovereignty, and sustenance of our Almighty God, Psalm 68:10. 
  • Suffering is used by God for our refining, perfection, strength, and to keep us from falling, Psa. 66:8-9; Heb. 2:10. 
  • Suffering allows Jesus to be manifested in our mortal flesh, 2 Cor. 4:7-11. 
  • Suffering weakens us, making us dependent upon God, 2 Cor. 12:9. 
  • Suffering teaches us humility, 2 Cor. 12:7. 
  • Suffering makes known to us the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:1-11.
  • Suffering teaches us character and Christlikeness, Rom. 5:3-4; Heb. 12:10-11; 2 Cor. 4:8-10; Rom. 8:28-29. 
  • Suffering teaches God’s discipline for us, for our good, so that we may share in His holiness, Hebrews 12:1-11. 
  • Suffering can help us learn obedience and self-control, Heb. 5:8; Ps. 119-67; Rom. 5:1-5; James 1:2-8; Phil. 3:10. 
  • Suffering for others can demonstrate the abundance of joy and love, 2 Cor. 8:1-2,9. 
  • Suffering is part of the struggle against evil men, Psalm 27:12; 37:14-15. 
  • Suffering is part of being worthy of the kingdom of God, 2 Thes. 1:4-5. 
  • Suffering is the struggle against injustice, I Peter 2:19. 
  • Suffering is sharing in the sufferings of Christ, 2 Cor. 15; I Peter 4:12-13. 
  • Suffering teaches us endurance so that we may win our crown, eternal life, 2 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 2:12.
  • Suffering binds Christians in sharing with the needs of the saints with a common purpose, Philippians 4:12-15. 
  • Suffering teaches us God’s statutes and brings us back to the way of God when we go astray, Psalm 119:66-67,71. 
  • Though we suffer for our sins, our broken and contrite spirit pleases God, Psalm 51:16-17. 
  • Suffering helps us to focus on our hope, the salvation of our souls, the grace that will be brought to us when Jesus is revealed, I Peter 1:6, 13. 
  • Suffering produces humility in us, I Peter 5:6-7. 
  • Suffering helps us to number our days, Psalm 90:7-12. 
  • Suffering is necessary to win the lost, 2 Tim. 2:8-10; 4:5-6.
  • Suffering strengthens us by allowing us to comfort others, 2 Cor. 1:3-11. 
  • Suffering is nothing compared to the value of knowing Christ, Phil. 3:8. 
  • Through suffering, we can know God’s Truth, Psalm 51:6; 119:17. 
  • Suffering is part of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus, 2 Tim. 1:7-8, 4:16-18.
  • Suffering teaches us thanksgiving and joy, I Thes. 5:18; 2 Cor. 1:11.
  • Suffering gives us hope, Jeremiah. 29:11; Job 13:14-15. 
  • Suffering reveals God’s care for us, Psalm 56:8.

With all these lessons learned from suffering, let us never forget that Jesus, the Man of sorrows, was very acquainted with grief and suffering. Our Lord Jesus modeled for us endurance in suffering. Most importantly, His perfect suffering made it possible for us to have redemption through Him. He endured the cross and the curse for us. For the joy that was set before him, Jesus despised the shame, but He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:2. So we must share in His sufferings, Matt. 26:36-46. Jesus trusted His Father in the garden of Gethsemane. He had to finish and face His worst fears becoming the Man of sorrows for our souls’ salvation. Let us purpose in our heart, soul, mind, and strength to walk like Jesus and Job, who trusted completely in God in times of deep suffering and despair. 

It is remarkable to me that although Job was stripped of everything in this life, he still trusted in God. Job held unto his faith! He put his hope only in God! God gives, and God takes away. Blessed be the name of God! Anyone who has had to endure deep suffering like Job and Jesus can recognize these moments in their journey.

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!

May our Lord help us to meditate with wisdom on God’s purpose in our sufferings and various trials. May we consider them all joy, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance to be complete, lacking in nothing. May our Lord help us to persevere under sufferings and trials. May we be approved of God and receive our reward in heaven, our crown of life, which our Lord has promised to those who love, believe, trust, and obey Him. To Him be the glory. Amen


The above post is an excerpt from the book, Be Still My Soul: A Collection of Essays about Finding Hope and Encouragement in the Face of Suffering and Trials by Luci Partain. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

NEW RELEASE: Be Still My Soul

We are happy to announce that our newest book – Be Still My Soul: A Collection of Essays about Finding Hope and Encouragement in the Face of Suffering and Trials by Luci Partain – is now available!

Be Still My Soul (cover)Download a sample of the book!

After facing a difficult year and an uncertain future, there is a dire need for hope and encouragement in order to face the challenges before us. Of course, Christians have hope beyond this life; yet the more difficult our circumstances are, the easier it is to become distracted from this hope and discouraged by what is going on around us.

In this book, sister Luci Partain has produced a series of essays that will help us find the encouragement we need in order to face the trials before us. Despite what we might suffer in this life, there is hope if we will remain faithful to God and keep focused on the goal of heaven.

Read more about this new book and purchase your copy today!

If you would like to place a bulk order, please contact us.

Special Offer

For a limited time, save over 25% off this book when you place an order through the Gospel Armory Store!

NOTE: Pre-orders have been sent out. Any new orders will be sent out as soon as possible. However, due to slower than normal shipping times, we cannot guarantee that any new orders will arrive before Christmas.

PRE-ORDER: Be Still My Soul

We are happy to announce that our newest book – Be Still My Soul: A Collection of Essays about Finding Hope and Encouragement in the Face of Suffering and Trials by Luci Partain – is now available for pre-order!

Be Still My Soul (cover)After facing a difficult year and an uncertain future, there is a dire need for hope and encouragement in order to face the challenges before us. Of course, Christians have hope beyond this life; yet the more difficult our circumstances are, the easier it is to become distracted from this hope and discouraged by what is going on around us.

In this book, sister Luci Partain has produced a series of essays that will help us find the encouragement we need in order to face the trials before us. Despite what we might suffer in this life, there is hope if we will remain faithful to God and keep focused on the goal of heaven.

The book contains the following essays:

  1. Does Jesus Care?
  2. Be Still My Soul: Embracing God’s Provision in Our Trials
  3. Though He Slay Me
  4. Wait for the Lord!
  5. Jehovah God, Shine Forth!
  6. Lamentations: Grief, Comfort, and Hope
  7. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
  8. Soaring Like Eagles to the Heights of God
  9. Habakkuk: In God’s Providential Hands
  10. Praying At All Times
  11. Overcoming Evil with Good
  12. Overcoming Discouragement and Disappointment
  13. Called to Thankfulness
  14. Are You an Unhappy Child of God?
  15. Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
  16. But One Thing I Do! Pressing Onward
  17. Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life?
  18. It Is Well With My Soul
  19. Be Ye Steadfast and Immovable
  20. This World Is Not My Home
  21. The Bible Doctrine of Heaven
  22. There Is a Habitation
  23. Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
  24. God Amid the Storm

There is a special discount for pre-orders of 27% off the regular price!

Read more about these new books and pre-order your copies today!

NOTE: This book is available now for pre-order. All orders will be shipped once the books arrive from the printer (scheduled for mid-December).

A Cheerful Heart Has a Continual Feast (Notes on Proverbs)

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

The following is an excerpt from the book, My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs.

All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast” (15:15). The wise man contrasts one who is “afflicted” with one who has “a cheerful heart.” The implication is that the one who is “afflicted” is not just one who faces difficult circumstances (which we all do), but it refers to one whose attitude is such that he has reached the point in which his “spirit is broken” (15:13). For such a person with no positive outlook or hope, every day will be bad. But the one with a “cheerful heart,” though he may experience troubles in life, is able to have a “continual feast” as he recognizes the blessings he has that come from above.

You can read more comments on the book of Proverbs in My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

No Comfort for the Oppressed: Notes on Ecclesiastes 4:1 (Excerpt)

Vanity of Vanities (cover)Ecclesiastes 4:1

Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.

After briefly considering eternity (3:11), God’s judgment of man (3:17), and the fact that fact that our spirits will remain after our bodies are dead and buried (3:21), the wise man returns to those things which pertain to life under the sun. In this verse he considers “acts of oppression.” No matter how many generations come and go, there will still be people who are oppressed and in a situation that is nearly or completely hopeless – at least in this life. When the oppressed remember their hope after this life, there is relief. Paul would later make this point to the brethren in Thessalonica who were suffering persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:7). But for those oppressed people who will not or cannot look past this life, there is no comfort. Furthermore, Solomon says there is no comfort for the oppressors either. Though they have power and can abuse and take advantage of others, there is no lasting value or meaning for them. Their satisfaction in life is limited to what they can unjustly take from others.

You can read more comments on the book of Ecclesiastes in Vanity of Vanties: Notes on Ecclesiastes. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!