LIFE IS TOUGH…(God’s Grace is Tougher!)

JOB 13:13-15: “Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come upon me what may. “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.” NASB

OBSERVATION: Why is all this happening to me? Why is God doing this in my life? Why aren’t my prayers being answered? Why does this wilderness wandering never come to an end? If you have ever asked yourselves these questions then you have lived long enough to realize this one fact.

LIFE IS TOUGH!

Life is no picnic. Rather, life is an adventure. It is an upward climb that is filled with obstacles and setbacks. It is a road where dreams will meet disappointment and plans will be constantly changed. Once you have lived life long enough you realize that you really do not have all the answers. The questions soon begin to outpace the answers we once naively held.

LIFE IS TOUGH!

Yet, life is also filled with joy and fulfillment. It is surrounded by people who love us and believe in us. It is an invitation to explore new things and experience new horizons. Like a roller coaster ride it is filled with ups and downs but the thrill of life’s potential keep us getting back in line to enjoy the ride over and over again. As we view our life we realize that not only is life tough, but –

LIFE IS A PARADOX!

Life, the purpose of life, and the power to live life are only found as we understand death. Christians as well as non-Christians will face the same ups and downs of life. When someone becomes a follower of Jesus Christ they are not magically removed from the trials of life. Yet, they are invited to live life from a new perspective and with a new source of hope and power. Paul speaks to the paradox of life in his epistle to the Galatians.

• “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:19-21

There was a paradigm shift that took place in Paul’s life. He no longer tried to live life through his own power and strength. He uses graphic terms as he proclaims – “…I died to the Law.” To live by the Law was to live in our own human effort and strength. It was trying to control life through our actions. It was trying to understand life on our own. In order to truly live life – Paul had to experience death!

This was not a physical death. It was a death to living life within his own wisdom, understanding, and strength.

Job found himself in the same position. Life no longer made any sense. He knew that he had not sinned before God but this did not mean he was righteous before God. His friends condemned him and blamed all of his suffering on Job’s actions and attitudes. Job refused to receive their harsh rebukes and appealed to the mercy and grace of God. Job was facing death head-on!

There has never lived another human being who has suffered more than Job. In the midst of his suffering, in the midst of the judgment of his friends, in the midst of his bewilderment in trying to understand why all this was happening, Job encountered the same truth that Paul proclaimed over 2000 years later.

• “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.” Job 13:15

Job put his trust in the Lord. He refused to give up, to believe the lies his friends proclaimed about him, and to throw in the towel. Whether Job lived or died He would cling to the Lord. His faith looked beyond the veil of his suffering and he was confident that he would stand before the Lord. Without strength, without comfort, Job hung on to hope. In reality Job experienced the cross of Jesus Christ as Paul did.

So over 2000 years before Jesus died on the cross, Job, like Paul, proclaimed,

• “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20

Life is tough. Life is not always fair. Life is not something that can be defined or answered through empty platitudes. Life must be lived. The choice is – How will we live it? Will I trudge through life complaining and trying to make it through in my own strength? Or, will I embrace the cross of Jesus Christ and lay down my weaknesses in order that I might clothe myself with His strength?

There is no escaping the difficulty of life. If we choose to rely on our own strength we will not only suffer through life – but we will miss the blessings and joys of life along the way. However, if we live through God’s grace, if we place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we allow His strength to live within us – there is nothing that we will not be able to overcome.

LIFE IS TOUGH – BUT GOD’S GRACE IS TOUGHER!

• “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:21

Lord, forgive me for questioning Your goodness and Your love. When I face difficult times in my life – bring me to the cross. Let me see that everything that I am experiencing You took upon Yourself as You died on the cross so that I might live through the power of Your life! Grant me the grace to stand with Job and Paul and proclaim,

THOUGH HE SLAY ME…YET WILL I HOPE IN HIM!

In Jesus’ Name!