In my "Bible reading", I have been in the book of Job. Today I found myself in chapter 19. Job is complaining that everything is against him. At one point he even says "have pity upon me, have pity upon me...."
It is so fitting that I am reading the book of Job, because Joseph and I have had several incidents happen recently that would make one feel like the modern day Job. ha!
It started with a crack on our windshield. Then a foreign lady backed into our car. We had to buy a new air conditioner. Someone we've known forever has stated false accusations against us, which makes me feel like I'm in middle school again. Joseph is facing some interesting circumstances at work leaving us wondering where we will be in the next several months. My brother even had a warrant out for his arrest (which has been taken care of) for not having paid a ticket that he assumed had been taken care of two years ago. We have a baby on the way. And to top things off, there is a mouse living behind our kitchen sink that stole my barbecue chicken but apparently doesn't like peanut butter that we so carefully placed on the traps. I have even asked God "What have I done? Please forgive me!" I don't know why God allows things like that to happen and all at once, but we must trust in Him.
Anyway, I read verses 25-27.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another" KJV
"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
Even after my skin is destroyed,
Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
Whom I myself shall behold,
And whom my eyes will see and not another" NAS
We've sung these words in church several times, but I never knew that they came from the mouth of Job while in all his misery.
This passage of scripture brought two different thoughts to mind.
- One day (for those that are saved) these fleshly bodies will be destroyed along with all the pains and stress of this world. We will be with our Redeemer and all that will concern us is to worship and praise Him. Until then, I must trust in Him and keep His commandments He has set before us knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Matthew Henry's Commentary, which I thank my in-laws for giving to Joseph on his birthday, says "And some observe that, after this, we do not find in Job's discourses such passionate complaints of God and his providence as before. This hope quieted his spirit, stilled the storm, and having here cast anchor within the veil, his mind was kept steady from this time forward."
Job's statement has definitely been an encouragement to me as well. What a hope that our Redeemer lives and is coming back again!
- "... yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another...."
When that day comes, all of our petty little doctrinal differences will not matter. We will know Him and His truth. We will all worship Him together.
For now, we praise God that we have our health, family, friends, and a roof over our heads. We thank God that He is faithful to provide and He continues to bless us. And He knows what a pain that mouse is...
We have so much to be thankful for!
