I Didn’t Know That!
We have had a sunny day to melt any of the reaming snow on the grass. Tomorrow may be a good day to try out the new riding lawn mower. The riding lawn mower tomorrow and my car the next day! There we go continuing to make progress.
I have been more tired today than I anticipated. Last night, I spend some time on the floor. It has been a while for that to happen. This time I did it on purpose. I was working on some exercises and the floor was the best option. I did make it up into one of the chairs in the living room without too much help. The exercise that I am getting using my regular wheelchair in the house is good, but I do think that I am telling the difference in my overall energy and endurance.
Using a regular wheelchair more certainly signals a different stage in my rehab. I am glad I still have my power wheelchair because it will come in handy when I am outside. Strength and endurance seem to be the watch words at this juncture. Thank you again for all those who have faithfully offered your support and kept us with my progress each step of the way.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. Job 19:25
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
I am just about finished reading through Job. It is interesting to follow the words of “Job’s comforters” and their view of suffering and especially how it relates to Job and his life. The Book of Job contains some familiar verses that encourage our faith and confidence in God. When I think of Job and his suffering, I have to remind myself that I know “the end of the story.” Job did not have that perspective. He wasn’t sure if he would die or be restored.
Did you realize that some familiar phrases that have been used over the years are found in one of the oldest books of the Bible? For example: “I’ve opened my mouth. The words are on the tip of my tongue.” Job 33:2
“I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth”. Job 19:20
“What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.” Job 3:2
Perhaps you look at those verses and recall an older person using some variation of these phrases and you did not realize they were in the Bible.
In addition to these verses there are ones like the first two above that are well known. They speak of Job’s steadfast focus on the Lord and His confidence in Him. Even though Job “cursed the day he was born” and had his issues with what was happening to him, (of course with the help of his three friends) He knew God was above it all. He had an eternal perspective and a confidence in his own life in spite of the sin his friends were trying to uncover that would reveal the reason for Job’s suffering.
What did Job know about God? He said it well, “my redeemer lives!” “He will stand on the earth.” We certainly see that Jesus as God in the flesh our redeemer did walk on this earth, but we also see that when Jesus comes again His feet will touch the Mount of Olives.
What did God know about Job? Job knew the Lord knew what others did not. “He knows the way I take.” Job was confident that the Lord would provide strength and that he would pass the test and would emerge as “gold” tried by fire.
Peter said, “the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:7
James in encouraging faith and endurance in the saints uses Job as an example: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11
Like Job the trails that come our way can be all consuming. But if we “keep the faith” and endure patiently, we will see the compassion and mercy of the Lord. While we can’t always know the end of our time of suffering or grief, what we can do is observe and learn from those who have gone before us and have confidence in a triumphant ending that is on it way.