Have you ever felt under attack for what you have done? We find ourselves defending our ways to those around us. According to Scripture we know we have done the right thing, and our motives were pure, but that doesn’t stop the criticism or attacks. What do we do in situations like that? We can learn some lessons from Job.
Job 13:13-15
“Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
Job is trying to give a defense of his life. He is defending his actions to his friends, but really he is trying to make sense of what is going wrong. What did he do? Where did he go wrong? How did he deserve this? Then we find this little nugget in the midst of his defense “Though he slay me, yet I will hope in Him.” That is faith.
Put Your Hope in Christ
Our faith can be so fickle. If things are good, it is strong. If things are bad, it is weak. When things happen, we don’t understand it bewilders us and leaves us unbalanced. We need to develop the mentality of Job, though he slay me I will hope in Him. That means even if God allowed me to die I wouldn’t lose my faith in him. When our life isn’t making sense don’t lose hope. Focus on Jesus and wait for things to become clear.
Stand Firm
Job also says that he will defend his ways before the Lord. He knew he had done nothing wrong and that his actions and intentions were pure. In the face of criticism, he told his friends he would stand before God and defend his ways. It is essential that when we know for sure what we did was right we don’t back down. Stand firm in your decisions.
Deliverance is Coming
Finally, Job knew that he would be delivered from his trials. This is a valuable lesson to learn. Tests come and go, but our integrity remains. Don’t lose hope in Jesus and his ability to deliver us through it. If you know in your mind that you can stand before Jesus, then stand firm until the deliverance comes. It is never easy to go through trials and criticisms but when we do trust the Lord.