In Today's reading, we find Job's friends continuing to talk discouragement to Job. "How long will you keep talking," he asks them. Then Job speaks the following words, which are for us as well, especially when going through the darkness of affliction.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin works destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." (Job 19:25,26)
Can we boldly say the same, even if it seems like life is falling apart around us?
Moving to Luke 19 we read the story of Zacchaeus. This story is usually relegated to the children's story department but what profound lessons it has for all our lives today.
I love Zacchaeus earnestness to see Jesus! (He had no idea that Jesus would stop and talk to him... He just wanted to catch a glimpse of the Savior, and he was willing to go out on a limb and step out of his comfort zone, he was willing to appear odd and to do the unusual JUST to catch a glimpse of Jesus!) Are we that desperate today to see Jesus? I fear pride and respectability too often holds our earnestness in check... especially in the sight of men...
Inspiration shares the following:
"Before Zacchaeus had looked upon the face of Christ, he had begun the work that made him manifest as a true penitent. Before being accused by man, he had confessed his sin. He had yielded to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and had begun to carry out the teaching of the words written for ancient Israel as well as for ourselves. The Lord had said long before, “If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” “Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God.” Leviticus 25:35-37, 17. These words had been spoken by Christ Himself when He was enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, and the very first response of Zacchaeus to the love of Christ was in manifesting compassion toward the poor and suffering.Tomorrow's Reading: Job 20-21 and Luke 20
.... no sooner did Zacchaeus yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit than he cast aside every practice contrary to integrity.
No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven." (Desire of Ages, p. 555)
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