Job 13:15-16 - Homiletics

Faith and assurance.

I. JOB 'S FAITH . "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Mark:

1 . The Object of Job's faith. God, as the Justifier of the ungodly who believe, since Job did not claim to be sinless, and yet expected to be justified.

2 . The trial of Job's faith. The intense sufferings, both physical and mental, through which he passed. The faith of God's people is commonly subjected to trial. Yet it is doubtful if any have ever experienced greater difficulties in the way of believing in God than Job did.

3 . The intensity of Job's faith. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." Job was determined that no amount of hardship should prevent him from confiding in the God of mercy and salvation; in which respect he is well worthy of imitation by Christ's followers.

4 . The triumph of Job's faith. It was no mere boast on the part of Job that he would cling to God at all hazards, as it has often proved on the part of over-confident believers ( e.g. Peter); but the issue of his trim established the sincerity of his words. His faith was often rudely assaulted, and sometimes appeared to tremble, but it was never overthrown.

II. JOB 'S ASSURANCE . "He also shall be my Salvation" (verse 16); "I know that I shall be justified." Assurance of salvation is clearly possible, since it was enjoyed by Abel ( Hebrews 11:3 ), Enoch ( Hebrews 11:6 ), Abraham ( Genesis 15:6 ), Moses ( Exodus 15:2 ), David ( Psalms 18:2 ), St. Paul ( Philippians 1:21 ; 2 Timothy 4:8 ); it is also extremely desirable for the saint's usefulness, as much as for the saint's comfort, and in every instance in which it is possessed must be based, as Job's was, on:

1 . Belief in the Divine testimony. Job knew that he would be justified, not because he was a sinless man, but because he trusted in God; and this is the first ground of assurance to an anxious soul. The sinner that believes is sure of salvation, because "he that believeth shall be saved;" and every one who trusts in him that justifieth the ungodly may with confidence affirm, "I know that I shall be justified."

2 . Consciousness of personal sincerity. That is, if a man, after careful self examination, discovers in himself the tokens of true piety and Christian integrity, he is warranted to conclude that he has passed from death to life, and God will eventually prove his salvation. Job felt he was not a hypocrite, but a sincerely upright man; and hence he knew that God would not condemn him. St. John, in his Epistles, supplies marks by which a man may determine for himself whether or not he is a genuine Christian disciple.

Learn:

1 . That without faith there can be no assurance.

2 . That wherever there is faith there ought to be assurance.