How Oft I Need To Remember

 

Job 42:8 "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job.

Isn’t it amazing what  a little repentance can do? Job has humbled himself before God and God immediately lifts him up. He gives Job the responsibility of praying for his misguided friends.

Friends who had for days tore into Job as they steadfastly spoke their incorrect understanding of the character of God, now God wants Job to intercede on their behalf that their relationship with God would be righted and they too would receive His forgiveness.

 

Well, why not let them pray for themselves? Why bring Job and the blood of 14 animals into the equation? Because these guys needed to see the cost of the folly of sin. Blood must be shed. Heb 9:22 reminds us: “without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

This sacrifice of animals and the intercession of Job meant to be a picture of the sacrifice of Jesus and His role of intercessor for sinners such as you and I. Heb 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

 

We, like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar need to be reminded of the cost of our sins often as well, and we are reminded of the cost every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper. What did Jesus say in 1Co 11:25,26”?  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

 

AS OFTEN! EVERY SINGLE TIME! You remember the cost and receive the intercessory benefits of the Body and Blood of Jesus when you come to the Lord’s Table. In remembering the cost, you ought to see with your spiritual eyes the love of God toward a sinner like you! This is what the friends of Job needed to see, rather than their clouded view of God!

 

Do you think Eliphaz, or Bildad, or Zophar begged off of this sacrifice saying, “we’ll catch you later on this God.”  NO!

But frankly, many times in the church today, we have become complacent about coming to the Lord’s table. I know it’s difficult during these pandemic times, but find a way!        

 

Oh that God loves a sinner like me and proved it at great cost. How “oft” I need to “remember” that truth.