Today is April 21 
 
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the Book of Job chapter 19.    
7 “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; 
    though I call for help, there is no justice. 
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; 
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness. 
9 He has stripped me of my honor 
    and removed the crown from my head. 
10 He tears me down on every side till I am gone; 
    he uproots my hope like a tree. 
11 His anger burns against me; 
    he counts me among his enemies. 
12 His troops advance in force; 
    they build a siege ramp against me 
    and encamp around my tent. 
… 
 
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, 
    that they were written on a scroll, 
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, 
    or engraved in rock forever! 
25 I know that my redeemer lives, 
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.  
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, 
    yet in my flesh I will see God; 
27 I myself will see him 
    with my own eyes—I, and not another. 
    How my heart yearns within me! 
  
The scriptures aren’t afraid of expressing emotions. God is an emotional God and he is not ashamed of emotions. Even emotions that we are sometimes uncomfortable with, the Bible doesn’t shy away from. How comfortable are you in expressing your feelings to God? Does it make you uncomfortable to express certain emotions to God?  
 
The book of Job is full of intense lament. And what Job is lamenting is that God is against him. It is God who has blocked him. It’s God who has stripped him. God tears him down. God’s anger burns against him. God’s armies lay siege to him. Have you ever been a time in your life when you’ve felt that God is against you? As you hear the passage again, listen for Job’s turn from lament to hope.  
7 “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; 
    though I call for help, there is no justice. 
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; 
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness. 
9 He has stripped me of my honor 
    and removed the crown from my head. 
10 He tears me down on every side till I am gone; 
    he uproots my hope like a tree. 
11 His anger burns against me; 
    he counts me among his enemies. 
12 His troops advance in force; 
    they build a siege ramp against me 
    and encamp around my tent. 
… 
 
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, 
    that they were written on a scroll, 
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, 
    or engraved in rock forever! 
25 I know that my redeemer lives, 
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.  
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, 
    yet in my flesh I will see God; 
27 I myself will see him 
    with my own eyes—I, and not another. 
    How my heart yearns within me! 
  
This is one of the earliest glimpses of resurrection that we see in scriptures. After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him, with my own eyes. Amid devastation, a word of hope, that suffering isn’t the last word. Resurrection is. As you go through your day today, hold on to this word of hope.  
  
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" - Vineyard Worship (C Major) 
You Don't Have To Lose Heart | Official Lyric Video | Vineyard Worship