May My Words Be Written Down

Day 8 of 365 days through the Bible...

Job 17-20

Job 19:23-27 - "I wish that my words were written down, that they were recorded on a scroll or were inscribed in stone forever

by an iron stylus and lead!  But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last.  Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh.  I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at Him, and not as a stranger.  My heart longs within me." 

These chapters chronicle the discussion between Job and his friends even more.  It seems as though the discussion is escalating.  Emotions are running high and feelings are coming out.  There are several passages that are prominent just like someone trying to make a point has a key sentence in an argument.  However, Job 19 is the passage the jumps off the page to me.  Part of it has to do with Job's attitude and what he says, and the other part is that it reminds me of a song Shane & Shane did a few years ago called (for obvious reasons) "Job 19."  So, why is this passage so important to me?  In the middle of Job's despair, and in the middle of him wondering if God even cares about him any more, Job remembers deep in his heart of hearts that God is still his Redeemer.  It is because of this passage that I feel journaling is important, too.  Job wants his story to be written down and inscribed for all to read so that everyone would know what happened to him.  There are things that have happened in my life (good and bad) that I never want to forget.  If I write (or type) all these things down, then I will have them to look back on as an encouragement of what God did in my life. 

Even after all that has happened, Job still states with confidence, "But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last.  Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh.  I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at Him, and not as a stranger.  My heart longs within me."  When things are tough and I'm not sure which way is up, I need to be reminded that my Redeemer lives and that when the dust settles, He will be the one standing.  In those trying times, the ache in my heart (or longing as Job calls it) should be for my Redeemer.  Then, Job finishes this passage by longing for that time with his Redeemer, which, in essence, is heaven.  His heart longs or yearns to see God face to face.  This reminds me of another one of my favorite musicians, Rich Mullins.  His life was cut short by an automobile accident when he was in his early 40s.  He was a man whom God gifted with an art to write songs that had depth and passion.  Upon his death, I watched a video where his friends were interviewed and told stories and thoughts about Rich.  One of his friends went on and on about how Rich Mullins longed for heaven.  He knew that this earth was not his home, and he longed for heaven.  It struck me, because, if I were honest with myself, I don't know that I can say that I long for heaven with every breath I take.  Reading this passage in Job, I learned that Job has that same outlook.  I need to long for heaven!  My heart should desire to see God face to face!  I have become too comfortable with this world.  God give me the strength to be uncomfortable, and show me what I need to do to change my heart's longing.