21st. August. 2021. Daily Devotion.
23 ‘Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead or engraved in rock for ever!
25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:23-27
In days gone by, preachers like Charles Wesley and Haddon Spurgeon all made the point that “Redeemer” is the translation of the Hebrew “goel”; this was not a general term, but a specific person in Hebraic law. When a person died, a close kinsman would become his goel and would have rights and obligations: to reclaim his land, receive any restitution, raise his children and, if the man had been murdered, even take up his sword in blood justice.
Job’s final misery is the belief that he will die without his Goel, for he is despised by all. When he says he knows that his Redeemer lives, he anticipates Christ, who will stand up for him even though he has been abandoned by all humanity. Christ will even carry a sword, the sword of righteousness, with which he will pursue and destroy Death on behalf of the most wretched person who dies believing in Him.
Our greatest natural fear is death. It is hard-wired into us because we are given the body and instincts of an animal. But Christ vividly demonstrated to us that He can defeat death, and He has promised to do so for those who live and believe in Him. Not only will we live without our flesh, when our time comes; but during our lives, we no longer have anything to fear. Poverty, illness, disability, the scorn of men: all are temporary. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Into your hands, O Lord, Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit. Bless me and all those who pray in faith of You this day; save us and grant unto us everlasting life. Amen.
Personal prayers
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself and keep me in your care.
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. From St Patrick’s Breastplate
Strength for a Friend
Lord, I come before you today knowing that all power is in Your hand.
I know that you are the Lord and that you care for your people.
Right now, my friend is struggling with a difficult trial.
I can see her strength is faltering, Lord, and know that you have all of the strength that she needs. I pray that you will reach down and touch her right now wherever she is at this moment.
Let your presence fill the room where she is and let her feel an extra portion of your
strength that can help her to get through this day. She needs you now, Lord, and I thank you in advance for meeting her where she is
and shoring up her strength during this difficult time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
