Blessed be the name of the Lord” ( Job 1:21), and then later we see Job use the exact same wording that Shane and Shane use in this song, “Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him” ( Job 13:15). ![]() Job, in his wisdom, stated that “the Lord gave the the Lord has taken away. In the midst of that horrific pain and suffering, he refused to curse God. Job had his home, his wealth, his cattle/livestock, even his own children all taken away. In the Book of and story of Job, we see that he was a man of upright nature and righteous in heart, but as Satan wanted to test him, God allowed it but said that he would not have his life taken. In the chorus, we get basically the picture of Job and his sufferings and response to them in his own tribulation. It is in our suffering that we have the opportunity to draw closer to God as we get to experience just the slightest glimpse of the pain He went through to save us. Paul spoke of suffering the loss of “all things”, but counting them all “as rubbish, in order that may gain Christ” ( Phil 3:8). They then also mention that all things are considered love from God so that we might know Him in His suffering. This whole opening verse explains the knowledge that because of sin having entered this world, pain and suffering happens, but in that pain, God is there to pick us up and mend our broken hearts (“ He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” – Ps 147:3). Shane and Shane open this song with a sense of humility and vulnerability as well as a sense of wisdom in knowing that God, the author and perfecter of faith and of this world, has orchestrated this world in such a way that would bring glory to His name. You might also notice, in that video, there is a breakdown in the middle of the song which involves some words from John Piper, and I would love you to pay attention to his words and let them permeate through your heart and soul and understand the truth of them. So, before you read on, please check out this amazing version of Though You Slay Me by Shane and Shane, and then I will dive into the theology behind the song. I am going to be looking at a song that I didn’t really come across until the last handful of years, but it is one that has impacted me and the way that I think about life, about sorrow, about pain, and about the various situations I have been through in my life that have caused all those emotions. It is powerful to praise God in any season, but these are the most precious praises of all, when we cling to Christ in life’s most horrible moments, knowing that he has walked our path, felt our barb, received our nail, and that suffering is precisely the place where we will know him best (Philippians 3:10).This week is a special week and a special song. ![]() Though you slay me, yet I will praise you. So it is in our times of greatest pain and loss, when we do not curse the one who is in control, but instead fall to our knees and utter with Job: You gave, and you have taken away blessed be your name, Lord. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Peter answers just as powerfully as he does when Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) - if not more powerfully, given these circumstances. John 6:66 tells us, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” Jesus then says to his disciples, “Do you want to go away as well?” (John 6:67). The once-adoring crowds have raced for the exits. There Jesus has just scared off a large crowd with some of his most controversial and misunderstood teaching in all the Gospels. Such anguished allegiance brings to mind Peter’s great declaration to Jesus in John 6. My desire to have this pain removed, or this loss restored, or these hurtful circumstances altered, must not eclipse my desire for the God who is powerful enough to remove it, or restore it, but is loving me in a way that is greater than I can understand. But such a supernaturally inspired testimony to God does testify, Even as great as this pain is, God is greater. ![]() By no means does such praise mean the pain is lessened.
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