Sunday, May 5, 2013

Job 33:23–28

"But if an angel from heaven appears—
a special messenger to intercede for a person
and declare that he is upright—
he will be gracious and say,
'Rescue him from the grave,
for I have found a ransom for his life.'
Then his body will become as healthy as a child's,
firm and youthful again.
When he prays to God,
he will be accepted.
And God will receive him with joy
and restore him to good standing.
He will declare to his friends,
'I sinned and twisted the truth,
but it was not worth it.
God rescued me from the grave,
and now my life is filled with light.'"

 

This is a picture of the new covenant—what Jesus does for the believer. In Jesus, we have a "special messenger to intercede for a person." Jesus paid the ransom. God accepts us because Jesus declares us "upright." Our lives are full of light because of Jesus. Notice that God receives us with joy. Today, let this wonderful picture of Jesus' work—predicted centuries before it came to pass—sink into your heart and give you joy. Revel in God's own joy in you! And don't forget the last part—tell others what God has done for you!