So You Think You Have It Bad?

Do you walk in such faith and confidence today, my brothers and sisters? Can you truly testify, “I know that My Redeemer lives, and that at the last He will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God?” Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck not only provide Scriptural readings for each day in their book A GUIDE TO PRAYER FOR ALL WHO SEEK GOD, they also share reflections from various writings from the saints of the ages.

I especially like the passage they included this week from the book TOWARD GOD by Michael Casey. Casey shares: “Jesus has gone before us. In the words of John 13:1, He has made the crossing from this world toward the father and summons us to come after Him. We will do this definitively when, at the hour of our death, we will have to summon up whatever resources we have in order to cast ourselves into the arms of God.

“To the extent that our decisions have centered on feeding self, we will find it very hard to change course in that awesome hour. On the other hand, if life and providence have taught us to reach beyond self to other persons and to God, then the grace of God will empower us to follow Christ and so enter into glory.”

Job and all the company of saints throughout the ages truly “reached beyond themselves to God and to others.” Only born again, Spirit filled Christians who are fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ can live such holy lives like Job. Only disciples like these can truly be said to be “blameless and upright” before God and have divine power to “fear God and shun evil.” It’s a matter of priorities. Will I live for Jesus or live for self? Center all your decisions on Jesus, not on self, and you will live in the same joy, confidence, and assurance of Job. You will know that when Death comes for you “the grace of God will be there to empower you to follow Christ and so enter into His glory.” AMEN!