Heart Burn

Daily Reading:  Job 18-19

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 19.25-27)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever said something 'prophetic' without even realizing it?  Job did that.  As he spoke of his Redeemer, he prophesied about Jesus - without clearly knowing about him.  What did Job have to say about Jesus?

• My Redeemer lives.  Job did not say that my Redeemer lived.  Nor did he say that he will live.  He said he lives.  Jesus is eternally alive - through all past ages and into all future ages, Jesus is alive!  This reminds me of how John described Jesus in the book of Revelation: He is, He was, and He is to come.  He ever lives to make intercession for us!

• My Redeemer will stand upon the earth.  In this statement, Job was looking forward to a particular time when his Redeemer would come into this world.  Jesus did that when he was born in Bethlehem.  Jesus did that when his cross stood on Calvary's hill.  Jesus will stand again upon the earth when he returns as conquering King!

• I shall see my Redeemer.  Job was going through what seemed to be an impossible time.  Yet, he held onto hope.  Why?  Because he knew he would see his Redeemer.  One day we will see Jesus!  Like Job, we may be sick and full of sorrow.  Our 'skin' may be growing weaker and weaker.  But, our ultimate end is not the death that comes at the end of this life.  Our ultimate end is to see Jesus and when we see him, we shall be like him!  We shall live forever!

• My heart faints within me!  Even in the midst of trouble and pain, Job was overcome by a joy he could not explain, only experience.  Is not your heart burning within you as you walk with Jesus on the way?

Prayer: Jesus, you are alive!  Thank you that you live forever, and that one day you will return to take me to be with you forever.  My heart faints within me!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.161-168

161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.

167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.