Human Response 631: Long to Die

Job 6:8-9 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that would let loose his hand and cut me off.

In his grief, Job wanted to respond by giving in, to be freed from his discomfort, and to die. But God had a greater plan for his life. His trouble and grief were so great that he thought death would be a relief.

At times we can have a similar tendency, to want to give up and get out when the going gets rough. To trust God during the difficult times tests us to our limits and exercises our faith. In our struggles, large or small, we need to trust that God is in control and that He will take care of us. Romans 8:28: “For those who love God all things work together for good.”

We may not have a death wish, but we do feel like giving up and getting out from under in tough times. When our faith is tested we are strengthened, and we come out stronger than before. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen [Hebrews 11:1].” Job’s end was better than his beginning, but he could not see it. He had to believe. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Through the Gospel we believe. Hang on to your God-given faith, learn the lessons, and be blessed.