Do you know God’s heart well enough to anticipate his next move? Way back close to the beginning of human history, a man named Job understood God’s justice and grace at a deeper level than had been spoken or recorded. He knew he needed what Jesus would one day provide. He didn’t know Jesus, but he anticipated God’s answer to our dilemma. 

He could not see what God would do, but he was thinking along with God and came to some clear realizations we still ponder today. He called himself “your handiwork.” The Apostle Paul would later say the same thing.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here you and I are today. We live in the full realization of God’s perfect plan to save us through his own works of justice, mercy, and grace. Death is not the end of the story. Life is worth living. We are God’s handiwork. He created us “in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” 

What Job longed for, we live. What he hoped for, we know. 

Our Father in heaven guards our steps. He covers our guilt and shame. He washes us clean and renews us forever. 

What does this make possible? 

Job said this would make life worth living. He said, “this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death.”

What are you struggling with today? If you involve God in your struggle, the struggle becomes meaningful. 

How do you think about death? Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross and in his resurrection, we can “eagerly await the release of death.” Again, the Apostle Paul helps us with heavenly perspective when he says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” (Philippians 1:21). 

These are thoughts worth thinking on a Monday. They are worth pondering in our down times. They are worth bringing to bear on today’s struggles and the struggles to come. 

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I will live in light of God’s perfect plan and the opportunities my struggles make possible.

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Our Father, thank you for the gift of hope. Thank you for meaning in seasons of struggle. Thank you for loving us so much that you did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Thank you for guarding our steps. Thank you for sealing our sins and covering our guilt. Amen. 

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I enjoy discovering new tools that help me better know and experience God. An acquaintance of mine recently shared a resource I have come to treasure. Lectio 365 is an app with Bible readings and prayers helping us prepare for the day morning by morning, and prepare for sleep evening by evening. You can find out everything you want to know about the app, the spiritual practices, and the people them at this web address: https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/

The British accents and soothing music enhance the listenability. The simple instructions on how to relax in God’s presence are helpful. 

Give it a shot. Try out some of the 24-7 Prayer group’s other resources.