Job 13:15a. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…
Oh friends, please forgive the ole fella for that brilliant typo (smile) I made in yesterday’s Bit. Steups! I really don’t know where my head was when I wrote that the Bit came from Proverbs instead of Job nuh. I hope you all noticed it and realized that the ole brain wasn’t functioning properly. Getting old is a helluva thing yes! (smile)
And on a point of interest, Proverbs 13:15a says thus: ‘Good understanding giveth (gains) favour…’ And how true that is my fellow believers!
Anyhow, it’s brand new day, with brand new mercies, grace and forgiveness, and it’s also Sunday morning, time for exciting praise and worship as we gather together in the Lord’s sanctuary to get our weekly dose of fellowship. And to get the proceedings underway, let’s raise the roof of the sanctuary with our sweet voices as we sincerely declare in song: ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.’
It’s a hymn that was written way back in the late 19th or early 20th centuries by Louisa Stead and William James Kirkpatrick that has marvelously stood the test of time, and is rather a good fit for today’s Bit. So without further ado, let’s offer the sacrifice of praise with our lips and voices and send sincere feelings of trust heavenward.
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon His promise; Just to know, Thus saith the Lord (Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er, Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.) O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; Just in simple faith to plunge me, ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood. (Refrain)
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life, and rest, and joy, and peace. (Refrain) I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er, Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.’
And wouldn’t we all benefit tremendously from being blessed with grace to trust Jesus more than we already do eh? Our lives would be so much easier and better directed; there wouldn’t be as much anxiety and frustration because our faith would be stronger and we’d have a better and more relevant sense of purpose. We’d know for sure deep down in our hearts and souls that Jesus was in perfect control.
That’s why Job could stand so strong even though he lost everything in one fell swoop. His memorable declaration in our Bit is a testament to his enormous faith. ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…’
Yes friends, I don’t know how many of us would be able to truthfully mouth words like those if we experienced anything close to Job’s calamity. But that’s the kind of faith and trust we’re called upon to have as sincere Christians.
Oh, I know that all of us are at different stages along the continuum of faith, but that’s the level to which we ought to aspire. And it’s not easy, but as with everything else in this world, we can attain it with God’s help. That’s the miracle working formula; with God’s help! Otherwise the words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians which we are quick to spout are meaningless. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phi.4:16)
Now let’s check out some more scripture passages that deal with trust. And these are two of the most important ones as succinctly declared by the psalmist. ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118:8-9) Oh my people, truer words were never spoken! And especially in these fraudulent and deceptive times, it is certainly unwise to put too much trust in mankind.
Now listen to Cousin Sol’s immortal declaration. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him; and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov.3:5-6) Words of eternal wisdom friends!
And the scholars offer this interesting explanation of those verses. ‘3:5-6. Three commands are given: trust, meaning “rely on, depend on”; lean not, meaning do not depend on you own native instincts, and acknowledge him, meaning have fellowship and intimacy with God in all of life. The result of such devotion is that God will make the paths straight before you.’
And which of us wouldn’t greatly desire to have straight paths in this cruel, evil, crazy, topsy-turvy world eh mih breddren? But that can only come by trusting the Lord God Jehovah with all our heart, mind, body and soul! And we’ll end with some wonderful words of Bruh David from Psalm 62 – God only is my rock and my salvation.
In it, he staunchly proclaims: ‘My soul wait thou (silently) only upon God; for my expectation (hope) is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved (shaken). In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength; and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps.62:5-8)
And all of that is indisputable truth friends! Almighty God is indeed our rock, our strength, our salvation and a perfect refuge, amongst many other things! So please my people, if we want to be successful and prosperous, let’s get with the program today nuh, let’s acknowledge and trust God the way we ought to, since He is the Creator of it all! Much LOVE!
…if you don’t trust the Creator of Creation… then whom are you going to trust eh…
SCRIP-BITS 