Job 13:15-18 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him. Listen carefully to my speech, and to my declaration with your ears. 18 See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated.”
Job was a man in desperate circumstances. He lost everything and now his health has escaped him. He is a miserable man. It is amazing to me that he is able to say what he says in these verses. They exhibit great faith and confidence and provide for us a great model when we face desperation. If you are at that point today or near it, pay careful attention to this devotion.
Job says in verse 17: “Listen carefully to my speech, and to my declaration with your ears.” The first thing you need to do in your desperation is form a declaration. A declaration is a confession out of your mouth concerning your present situation and your belief about your future. There were three components of Job’s declaration that you can emulate:
1. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” This declaration settles the question about your total dependence upon the Lord even when you don’t understand what’s going on or what He may be doing or if you end up not making it. In essence it says, “I’m not going to let this throw me.” Are you able to say today, “I will trust Him?” What is your declaration concerning your faith when it is being tried? Say it!
2. “He also shall be my salvation.” The word salvation in the Old Testament has a broader sense than just soul salvation. It means deliverance and encompasses many facets of God setting you free in various areas of your life. You need to have the conviction that God’s deliverance is meant for you. You need to have the conviction that you’re coming out of this!
3. “I know that I shall be vindicated.” Job was convinced that his cause was right and that he had done nothing wrong. His friends were falsely accusing him of sin and every other transgression they could think of. After all, how could all of this befall a righteous man? Sometimes it is unexplainable what happens to us. However, our mouth needs to confess that God will have the last word when it comes to our situation.
My friend, form your declaration and then speak it! Declare your future and fill it with the good things of God. He’s not finished with you!