Author: astherainandsnow

“He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, ‘He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.’ And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'” Luke 19:1-10

Following Zaccheus through this narrative is uplifting. It’s a beautiful story of how the Lord Jesus captures the small heart of a small man and enlarges it with faith. It tells of motives reoriented, fists opened, and a life transformed. But following the onlookers, “they” who would only stand on the fringes wagging their tongues in grumbling and their fingers in judgment, the story is shameful and convicting.

Jesus had come to seek and save the lost, but these lost were blind to their condition, and so missed His invitation to salvation. They were separated from the glorious story, because they were consumed with criticizing. They could not see the magnificence of what was happening because their vision was clouded with pride. They stand out as dark splotches on the periphery of God’s amazing, turning stubborn backs to the grace displayed before them because they counted the recipient of Christ’s favor unworthy. They asked ‘how could He’ instead of ‘why does He?’ They missed out the meal of a lifetime because of calloused, prejudiced hearts.

How often do we remain on the outside of what God is doing because of a grumbling attitude or preconception? Have we veiled our eyes and ears with smugness? Do we forgo what He wants to do with us because we’re too occupied criticizing those on whom He sets His affection? Are we better stoked by pride and self-righteousness, or envy, or disdain, than we are by His love and mercy? Are we so shallow we focus on the catty and spew caustic remarks instead of hushing at the miracles our Lord is working? Do we disdain God’s mercy to others ‘so dirty,’ and fail to recognize our own sinful affronts to His holiness?

What will it take to see Jesus for who He is, and others as He sees them, with eyes of mercy? What attitude or habit need I surrender, and how will I put Him on? (Romans 12:3; Colossians 3:5-10,12-17)

Lord, remove any shroud of cattiness and grumbling that veil my heart from You. Help me look for, long for, and behold the beauty of Your mercies to others and to me. Help me not miss the glories of Your marvelous ways. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

“Before they call I will answer;
    while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

“While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God… while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel came… saying,.. ‘At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.'” Daniel 9:20-21,23

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,  for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

A friend, awaiting a loved one in the hospital, relayed that meanwhile, the Lord had enabled a constructive conversation with someone concerning a child. Downtime because of a broken bone meanwhile provided time to reflect and be stretched in new ways. A season of unemployment meanwhile opened opportinities to serve, and develop relationships, and hone skills. Omniscient God has His hands in every event and works coincidentally in all our meanwhiles, never confused, and sovereignly orchestrating each one in unison for His good purposes. In the thick of clouds His light burns intentionally and bright.

While we pray, God is answering. As we wait, the Lord is working. He readies people for jobs and job openings for people, and individuals for one another according to His perfect timing. Our God is neither flustered nor confused with managing everyone and everything, events and history, all at the same time, to accomplish His good plans. When we get choked in turbulence, or chafe impatient at waiting, or wonder when some ordeal will be resolved, we can look expectantly for what is occurring meanwhile. Our Lord may be actively stirring up a parallel situation, preparing another’s heart to make a move, or developing maturity that will be needed for next steps. He is trustworthy in all His providential ways.

Where has the Lord carved out a meanwhile, and what have we learned? In the throes of a difficult relationship, what have we meanwhile learned of His unconditional love and unchanging nature, of His merciful forgiveness? In grief, in waiting, in longing, in silence from heaven over repeated prayer, what has God meanwhile revealed about our pride, our idols, our selfishness, our discontent, our impatience? How might He be wanting to change me, or teach me to accept the unchangeable?

Do we expect meaning in a meanwhile? In the trauma of a move, an adjustment to a new job, or the waiting room between symptoms and diagnosis, questions and answers, or effort and results, how is God blessing? Will I risk to ask hard questions, or make myself available? To open myself to His sanctifying discipline? To wait His time? To do all I can to be ready for His next assignment, all the while trusting that He’s doing well what I cannot see? (Hebrews 12:7-11)

Father, please help me rejoice in my present, and in all You so wonderfully do meanwhile to further Your glory and accomplish Your will.

“And Sarah died in the land of Canaan…  And Abraham said to the Hittites, ‘I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you.., that I may bury my dead.’ The Hittites answered, ‘You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs’… Abraham bowed.., ‘If you are willing… entreat for me Ephron…’

“Ephron… answered Abraham.., ‘I give you the field…’ Then Abraham bowed… and said to Ephron.., ‘I give the price of the field. Accept it from me…’  Abraham weighed out for Ephron… four hundred shekels of silver… The field and the cave [of Machpelah] that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place.'” Genesis 23:2-13,16,20

“Ornan said to David, ‘Take it, and let my lord the king do what seems good to him. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings..; I give it all.’ But King David said to Ornan, ‘No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold. And David built there an altar to the Lord and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the Lord... ‘Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.’” 1 Chronicles 21:23-26; 22:1

Abraham knew God had promised him specific land where his name would be great and a nation would be built. But he did not yet own any land. So instead of accepting a gift, he insisted on paying for the plot of burial ground for his beloved Sarah. In counting out his shekels, he staked his claim in God’s promise, securing a physical transaction of faith in His supernatural promise. (Genesis 15:18-21; 49:29-32)

For David, he knew it was costly to transact atonement, that blood from a living animal must be spilled. So he, too, insisted on paying to procure land for an altar. He had sinned against his God, and by counting out his money he figuratively counted on His promise of forgiveness. This place of sacrifice would providentially become the place of worship. (1 Chronicles 21:1,7-8; 2 Chronicles 3:1)

We can get by in life spending as little as possible, searching out and taking advantage of freebies. We scoot along with a mindset of ‘take and get,’ often without regard for what our goods cost somebody else. But once we are captured by the Lord, His innocent death for our sake, and a deep sense of His measureless bounty to us in salvation and a spiritual inheritance, there is nothing too great to spend for Him. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

His love compels us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, to surrender our resources, time, and life-aims. We are willing to sell all we have to secure heavenly treasure, holding loosely temporal things so we can lift open hands in praise. (Matthew 13:44-46; Romans 12:1)

The next time I ask for cleansing, would I thank Jesus for what it cost Him to impart it? When I seek the Spirit’s counsel or inspiration or courage, would I praise Him for my spiritual inheritance? His love for me cost God His Son. What will I offer back in love, obedience, and honor?

Lord, may I give to You in the sacrificial, lavish measure You have given to me. “All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs,
all my thoughts and words and doings,
all my days and all my hours.” ~Mary D James (1810-1883)

“A lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How do you read it?’ And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.’

“But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, had compassion. He bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” Luke 10:25-37

A prideful man would say that loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself, is doable. It’s what Jesus required of the inquiring and capable lawyer. But pride puts a ‘me’ filter on that love, and accepts the mandate according to ‘my’ desire, my passion, my ability, my self-imposed limits, my want-to. The easy question the self-righteous lawyer asked was supposed to make for his easy justification, but turned out to be anything but. The Samaritans were outcasts, the hated mixed race, but the ordinary man- not the holy men- is the one who stopped, touched, cared, and spent on the one wounded. (2 Kings 17:24-41)

On our terms, we like to pick our assignments, and choose to love those who are lovable, with whom we connect and share in common. We understand, albeit with honest shame, moving to the other side of the road to avoid the bleeding, naked pagan. We excuse ourselves with fear of the unknown, risk avoidance, and possible social ramifications. But Jesus, whose immeasurable love for us stranger enemies reconciled us to Himself, requires love for Him first and on His terms. His love reaches across fences we build, and society’s boundaries, into lives that are distinctly different from our own. (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21-22)

Do I wholly love God? Whom has He placed before me to love that I am avoiding? When will I exchange my love terms for His? How will I show compassion, Christ-likeness, and selfless care today?

“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart, 
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. 
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are, 
and make me love you [and others] as I ought to love.” ~George Croly (1854)

Amen.

“[Jesus] said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?..’

“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:23-25,57-62

Follow? Sure! Deny and forfeit? No details? No hesitation? That’s harder. Following Jesus requires a reorientation of life priorities and possessions. Our passion for things of this world, and plans for the here and now, confront a cost of that whole temporal orientation toward a spiritual focus on eternity and the kingdom of God.

To follow Jesus means we learn to deny ourselves and any aspect of self that prevents us from walking with Him: maybe our comforts and pleasures, our need for approval, our plans and dreams, our calendar appointments, our close proximity to loved ones. We learn to measure not in hours and dollars and degrees, but in love and relationships and souls. We might trade pet causes for divine calling, and empty chatter for communion with God. We learn to count worth differently, releasing worldly interests and clutching the cross. We set our minds on heaven, and labor to lay up treasure there, ultimately to offer our Lord in glory. (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 3:1-4)

When we are sold out to Jesus and heed His call to follow, the world and its favors take on a different sheen. Over time, we are no longer attracted to empty conversations, wasteful spending, and meaningless entertainment. Our meditations turn upward, and outward. Our ongoing sanctification produces increasing love for the things of God and heaven, and greater desire to share them with a needy world. When we follow Jesus, we come to the end of the day, and of our days, holding that cross that has given meaning to every breath and unlimited worth to any cost expended. (Colossians 3:1-2)

What are we taking up each day before getting along our way? Our phones with all their fill of schedule, information, urgency, and opinion? Or our cross? With what tools do we attend responsibilities and relationships? Past baggage, self-asserted rights, preconceptions, prejudices? Or our cross? And what occupies our hands when we rise to follow Jesus? Our list of demands and disclaimers? Our wish list? Or our cross?

Oh Lord, help me follow You closely, wholeheartedly, and with open hands to relinquish my will for Yours, and my cares for Your glorious cross.

“A man had two sons. And the younger said, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need…

“But when he came to himself… And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet… Let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:11-14,17,20-24

“And the king took off his signet ring,.. and gave it to Mordecai.” Esther 8:2

“Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ And to him he said, ‘Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.’ And I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments.” Zechariah 3:3-5

There is much our sovereign Lord leaves to us: daily personal choices, allocation of time and resources, and vocational direction. He is a gentleman, not intrusive or a bully. But He is at the same time intimately acquainted with all our thoughts and ways, and providentially watches over His own to inspire and redeem. Like the father in this parable, His desire is for our good, even as we make bad choices. He embraces the repentant with grace and love, bestowing His robe and signet on all who humbly come, sealing our identity as righteous and His. (Psalm 139:1-5; Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians 1:13-14)

What a welcome! To have pride dissolved into contrition, to have laborer’s rags removed and be clothed like royalty, to have squalor and need replaced by guaranteed provision and authority, is an exchange made possible by God alone. When dead comes alive, and lost is found, a new identity is marked and set in motion. But how apparent is it in the way we live? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What vestiges of the far country still stain our mental preoccupation, speech, habits, entertainment? Where am I wasting the treasures of time, ability, and resources my Father has entrusted to me? Are there misdirected affections leading me away from fellowship? What needs confessing and transformation? What will it take for me to bear gladly, and obviously, the mantle of Christ’s name and the marks of His love? What about the way I live causes others to recognize His Spirit, welcome salvation, and celebrate?

Father, created in Your image, and prodigal, may I bear the image of the Man of heaven as one now saved. Mark my identity as unmistakably Yours, light in a dark world offering Your life and glory. (Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Philippians 2:15-16)

“A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Proverbs 25:11

“Because I delivered the poor who cried for help,
    and the fatherless who had none to help him.
The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me,
    and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
    my justice was like a robe and a turban.
I was eyes to the blind
    and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy,
    and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know...
My roots spread out to the waters,
    with the dew all night on my branches,
my glory fresh with me,
    and my bow ever new in my hand.’

“Men listened to me and waited
    and kept silence for my counsel.
After I spoke they did not speak again,
    and my word dropped upon them.
They waited for me as for the rain,
    and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.
I smiled on them when they had no confidence,
    and the light of my face they did not cast down.
I chose their way and sat as chief,
    and I lived like a king among his troops,
    like one who comforts mourners.” Job 29:12-16,19-25

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy… The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation… The one who prophesies builds up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:1,3,4b

The description of Job’s unselfish life, his active upbuilding and encouragement and consolation that blessed many and made the widow’s heart sing, is a lovely portrait, like luscious fruit in the most valuable of settings. His days had pulsed with compassion and lovingkindness, His countenance alit with the righteousness and splendor of God’s glorious character. His words fell like spring rain, refreshing friends and strangers with confidence and cheer. There were none who had not been helped, or lifted, by the ministry of Job’s life.

It is obvious that Job had not lived for himself. His whole orientation was to look for and tend to others’ needs. He attracted with magnetic concern those who knew special pain and misfortune. His heart was open wide, his arms also, to minister in the Lord’s bountiful measure in every way he could, thinking only of them. He drew in the Lord’s supply, knowing it was He who cared best for His church, and would provide everything needed to contribute to its strength and growth.

How does this account of such a selfless servant inspire changes in my attitudes, my efforts, my motivations? What particular Christ-like qualities describe how I would like to think and behave and serve? What evidence does my life display that I actively pursue love, spending myself to exhibit and practice unselfish love to those around me? Are my actions and words fitly spoken, conveying joy and help, encouragement and comfort? (Philippians 2:1-7)

Lord God, may my life speak fitly for Your church and for Your glory. May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, and the actions all of my days be pleasing in Your sight, and spiritually, eternally beneficial to Your people. (Psalm 19:14)

“Thus says the Lord,.. ‘For this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go. This time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt… Now get your livestock and all that you have in the field into safe shelter, for every man and beast that is in the field and is not brought home will die when the hail falls on them.’ Then whoever feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh hurried his slaves and his livestock into the houses, but whoever did not pay attention left his slaves and his livestock in the field.

“Then… the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. [He] rained hail upon the land of Egypt. There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail… The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all the land of Egypt, both man and beast… [and] every plant, and broke every tree… Only in the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel were, was there no hail… But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he… hardened his heart.” Exodus 9:13,16-21,23-26,34

It’s been said the devil doesn’t try to convince us there’s no God, or that life has no meaning, but that we have all the time in the world. Pharaoh in his pride had yielded to this nefarious scheme, hardening his heart against any sense of urgency toward the word of God. And he would reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7)

It’s interesting to note that some of his servants had grown to fear the Lord, this strange God of Israel. They’d hurried to shelter both people and livestock from the promised seventh plague of hail. Six had been enough to convince them of God’s authority, might, and determination to judge. But not the stubborn Pharaoh.

How about us? We have daily display of the Lord’s power and glory. We see breathtaking beauty, and the ravages of sin on physical and mental health and natural decay. We observe Almighty God’s daily mercies and faithfulness, as well as fractured relationships due to hyper-sensitivity and arrogance. Do we fear Him enough to shelter our livestock, to heed His warnings and align with His word? (Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 19:1-3)

This may not be the most popular choice or stance, but it is the right one. God’s purposes will come to pass. God will certainly be exalted and His name will be proclaimed. On which side will we be- those who stand with Him, sheltered by Jesus’s name and blood, or those caught in the hail and fire? (Isaiah 14:24)

Do I love and revere God enough to heed His warnings and follow His instructions? Do I esteem Him more than I do myself, and cherish His words to me? If so, what evidence do my actions give to His supremacy in my heart?

Lord, may I take You and Your word seriously every day, fearing it appropriately and honoring You as You deserve. Please cause my active faith to draw others to Your shelter, that they also might know Your protection and peace.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

This treasure of a passage sandwiches what love is not between what love is, and we would do well to bite that sandwich daily and crush the middle. Active practice of the positive qualities of divine, Spirit-fueled love will do away with all it’s not, but it takes commitment and self-surrender to do so.

When we start with patient, we take a breath and exhale self. We inhale the divine, and our focus adjusts with Christ’s perfect vision. We see others as He does, fellow image-bearers who are sinners like us in need of a Savior. Our hearts beat with compassion and expand with forbearance as we recall God’s long-suffering toward us. A swelled heart is a kind heart, and acts of kindness are contagious as they catch fire within, consuming our energy. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

Such others-centered living has no room for envying, because it is caught up in outward giving, not sidelong glances, in bestowing benevolence, not hoarding comparisons. It also allows no boasting, because genuine kindness flows from Christ’s wellspring of blessings within, not self-effort. The richer the flow of patient, generous kindness, the cleaner the conduit from any hint of arrogance or rudeness. Love flushes that poison away. (Ephesians 1:3)

A loving life yields to the Lord’s sway over emotion and desire, having learned never to insist on self-derived motivation. It delights in pleasing and preferring others for their benefit and upbuilding, and does not chafe at their choices or hold against them successes, or failures. It wants only the best for them, and rejoices at the truth of God’s redemption and grace. (Romans 12:9-19)

Love is large, measureless in its reach and limitless in its power. It is strong enough to bear all pain, and grief, and offense, and to undergird others with burdens too weighty to bear alone. It believes in the best, and that God is able to bring about that best, no matter what. It hopes in redemption’s promise, and God’s possibles, and eternal glory. It endures all things with grace and profound, abiding joy, because its well is deep and its spring ever-flowing. It is everlasting, from first to last effusive and all-encompassing, because it is embodied by our eternal Savior. (Jeremiah 32:27; John 4:14; 7:37-39; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20; 1 John 4:8)

How does our love measure up to the Lord’s description? Are we increasingly growing in each aspect of love’s graces, and shrinking in those ugly opposite tendencies? How committed are we to daily practice of selfless, Christlike love to others, depending wholly on the Spirit of the One who has loved us perfectly? What will it take to be eight for eight in every ‘love is’?

Lord God, empty me of self, and fill me with Your pure, unrestrained love to overflow. May my life be a clear exhibit of Your love’s definition, to the praise of Your glory.

“He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone,
    and my hope has he pulled up like a tree…

 “He has put my brothers far from me,
    and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me.
My relatives have failed me,
    my close friends have forgotten me…
My breath is strange to my wife,
    and I am a stench to the children of my own mother.
Even young children despise me;
    when I rise they talk against me.
All my intimate friends abhor me,
    and those whom I loved have turned against me.
My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh,
    and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends,
    for the hand of God has touched me!
Why do you, like God, pursue me?
    Why are you not satisfied with my flesh?

“Oh that my words were written!
    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!” Job 19:10,13-14,17-27

Broken on every side, and hopeless, Job experienced unimaginable suffering like few through history. In his forlorn misery, he had a testimony, and his words were written, and they still speak! His excruciating pain and darkness are not his alone, and what he knew to be true is universally available by faith to be known by all.

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

When all is dark and suffocating and feels like death, our Redeemer lives. He is ours, personal and intimately loving. He is our Redeemer, soothing grief with hope, making all things new, and restoring what the wasting locusts have eaten. And He lives, presently, actively, dynamically, powerfully in and with and all around us. And we will see Him face to face! (Joel 2:25-26; John 14:16-17; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 21:5)

Is it health that fails? Or finances, or dreams? Our Redeemer never fails! Have loved ones betrayed, or friends forsaken? Our Redeemer never leaves or forsakes! Has hope diminished, joy waned, vitality been depleted, vision clouded? Our Redeemer lives and presently intercedes for us! (Deuteronomy 31:6; Romans 8:26-35; Hebrews 13:5)

Take heart! Know that when days are dark, Jesus our light of life shines. He is our strength for today and our sure hope for tomorrow. (John 8:12; 1 Corinthians 13:12)

“I Know That My Redeemer Lives
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to lead me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
‘I Know That My Redeemer Lives'” ~Samuel Medley (1775)

Gracious Redeemer, teach me to live with unwavering hope in Your bountiful life and redemptive purposes. May Your gift of faith to me shine and awaken desire in others to see You for themselves.