Job is a prime example of one who had a faith that would not fail. Satan did not understand this kind of faith and neither does the world. Satan had no idea that Job's faith would withstand anywhere near the kind of test it was put to, but he thought that under such trials Job would curse God to His face (1:11 & 2:5). And even when his own wife would have had him "curse God, and die" (2:9), he did not and would not "sin with his lips." By virtue of the severity of his mental and physical anguish he said things that under normal circumstances he would have reproved others for saying, yet he retained his faith and his integrity. 

    We read in Hebrews 11:13 that the patriarchs of old, "all died in faith". And the reason they died thus is because their faith did not fail them, either in life or in death. Not only was it good enough to live by, but it was also good enough to die by. In fact, it was a great stay and staff in the hour of death and enabled them to breathe out their lives sweetly with their eyes toward that "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10). 

    Elder J. A. Monsees, in whose good home I had the pleasure of visiting a number of times before his death some 30 years ago, composed a song that begins with the words, "Oh, for a faith that will not fail!" He did indeed possess just such a faith and consequently it saw him through to the end of his earthly journey. And so shall it be with us if we have, as he did, "that faith of our father Abraham" (Rom. 4:12). 

    It is a great comfort to this unworthy writer that after a great many severe trials and afflictions I can still say with Job, that though God should slay me, yet will I trust Him. The Lord has been very merciful to me, and I realize that there is no such thing as deserved mercy. If it should please Him to crush me under His mighty hand of justice, my mind and heart forcefully tell me that I should humbly submit to His righteous will and readily pronounce Him just in all His dealings with me. The same Book that tells me that the afflictions of the righteous are many (Psalm 34:19) also tells me that "the righteous shall hold on their way" (Job 17:9). Faith, and experience, tell me that both statements are true.