Though You Slay Me

Many times in recent weeks I have returned to a song performed by Shane & Shane called "Though You Slay Me," based on Job 13:15, which says, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."  The version of the song I really love, though, is one that features pastor John Piper.  It includes an excerpt from his sermon titled "The Glory of God in the Sight of Eternity."  Gets me every.single.time. It makes me want to groan deep in my spirit.  He says it with such power, such conviction.  You can listen to the song and John's words below, but I also included the transcript from his particular part.

“Not only is all your affliction momentary. Not only is all your affliction light in comparison to eternity, and the glory there, but all of it is totally meaningful. Every millisecond of your pain from the fallen nature or fallen man, every millisecond of your misery in the path of obedience is producing a peculiar glory you will get because of that. I don't care if it was cancer or criticism. I don't care if it was slander or sickness. It wasn't meaningless! It's doing something! It's not meaningless! Of course you can't see what it's doing! Don't look to what is seen. When your mom dies, when your kid dies, when you've got cancer at 40, when a car careens into the sidewalk, takes her out, don't say it’s meaningless. It's not. It's working for you an eternal weight of glory. Therefore – therefore - do not lose heart but take these truths ,and day-by-day, focus on them. Preach them to yourself every morning. Get alone with God and preach his word into your mind until your heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for.” 

Jesus, even amidst anxiety and a perplexed spirit, I will still sing a song to the One I need.  Still I will worship.  My heart and flesh may fail, and the earth below me may give way, but with my eyes I'll see you.  You're still all that I need.  You are enough for me.  I believe that what I am going through in this season of life is totally meaningful.  I will not lose heart.  My heart will sing with confidence because you have made me new and you care for me.  Though you slay me, yet I will hope in you.  

I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

Though tonight…
Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me

Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship

Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need