I Can Only Imagine
I am pleased to report that I am doing much better. It seems that the prednisone boost, and medication to relieve nerve pain in addition to prayer has give me relief from the constant pain I was experiencing. I trust that I will be able to return to some of my therapy and work out routines and just normal activities..
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” Job 19:27 NLT
The song “I Can Only Imagine” propelled the music group Mercy Me to national prominence. The movie titled after the song relays the story of how the words and music of the song emerged out of the illness and death of songwriter Bart Millard’s father. His abusive and alcoholic father experienced a true change of life when he began a journey of surroundings his life to Christ.
Because of his changed life Bart’s father went from misery in life and relationships to a place of healing and hope. In similar fashion with vastly different circumstances Job found himself in the deep misery of life. His family and fortunes are gone. He has lost his esteem in the eyes of others, and felt the pain of misunderstanding and rejection.
He says, “My servants and maids consider me a stranger. I am like a foreigner to them. When I call my servant, he doesn’t come; I have to plead with him!…Even young children despise me. When I stand to speak, they turn their backs on me. My close friends detest me. Those I loved have turned against me.” (Job 19:16,18-19 NLT)
Job then utters some familiar sounding words, “I have been reduced to skin and bones and have escaped death by the skin of my teeth.” (Job 19:20 NLT) (From my past health crisis, those are words of Job I can relate actually relate to.)
However, in the midst of all the “gloom and despair” Job offers a resounding declaration of hope and a future. “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” (Job 19:25,26 NLT)
But Job doesn’t stop there. As He considers the prospects of the glory of God’s awesome presence, he goes on and says, “I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:27 NLT)
Job knew “of” God. He had learned and believed in this powerful, awesome God. But actually beholding Him “face to face” was an overwhelming thought! Job “could only imagine” what that would be like, and was overwhelmed by the thought.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians he encouraged them with the words, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)
The old hymn declared, “O that will be glory for me, when by His grace, I shall look on His face.” One of our former church members passed away recently. As a friend was visiting her just a few hours before she left this life, she told her friend, “Jesus is coming for me!” Then she declared, “Look there He is!”
The anticipation of heaven is not being with those who have gone before us, it is beholding our Savior face to face. Imagine that and like Job you will be overwhelmed by the thought.