HOPE & LIGHT

I’m doing a Bible reading plan this year that takes me through the Bible chronologically, and today’s reading was in Job. Job is definitely not my favorite book to read, with all it’s negative circumstances. Yet today, God used this book to remind me of an important truth.

In Job 16, Job had just been complaining about his “comforters” – who were anything but! He needed comfort, not condemnation, at this difficult place where he was walking. Then in verses 19-21, Job’s tone changes. He says,
“Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour our tears to God; on behalf
of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.”

Job understood a truth that God wants us to remember. We are not alone. No matter what circumstances we face, we have an intercessor in heaven, at the right hand of God, we is our advocate on high. The New Testament makes it clear that this intercessor and advocate is Jesus Christ. He not only paid the price for our sin on the Cross; today, He pleads our case at the right hand of our heavenly Father. Romans 8:34 makes it clear that Jesus does not condemn us. Instead, He “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” In fact, according to Hebrews 7:25, “He always lives to intercede for them (for those who come to God).”

I don’t know about you, but this is a truth that really encourages me. I’m facing some difficult circumstances right now, walking in constant pain physically and also facing other areas where my husband and I need God’s intervention. I’m comforted by the knowledge that I’m not alone. I’ve shared my needs with friends, and I know they are interceding for me. I believe God the Father knows what I’m going through, and He cares. But the truth that Jesus Christ is right now interceding for me is a special blessing, even beyond all these others. How can His intercession be anything but perfect!