Four and a half hours on the smoker, bathed in the scintillating aromas of red oak. I lifted the lid of my kamado smoker to behold the glistening racks of baby back pork ribs. Now to test to see if they are ready. I maneuvered my tongs under one of the racks and gently lifted it. It slowly began to tear away from the bone…perfect! I repositioned the tongs to attempt to transfer the entire rack to my platter. I was almost successful but at the last moment, the ribs tore at the spot where the initial tear appeared. No worries, I could now take a little piece to taste test it. The red smoke ring embraced the outer layers of the pork as steam emanated from the intoxicating fragrance of the meat. I grabbed a little piece. Oh my! “Sweetheart, you have to try this!” My wife was busy baking the dessert for our dinner party. “Okay, but you have to try this, too!” I gave her a morsel of smoked pork while she reciprocated with a piece of her matcha chocolate macaroon. What a treat! It was going to be a great dinner!
A little preview!
There is something special to be able to preview a meal that one anticipates will be very special. It is a taste of better things to come. God does this many times in the Bible. Yet, perhaps there is no more poignant example than when Job cries out to God in the midst of his suffering.
But I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the dust. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see him myself; my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.
Job 19:25-27 (CSB)
In a short period of time, Job suffered the loss of all of his wealth, children, and his health. His wife even told him to curse God and die. But Job clung to his faith, confident that God would resurrect Him after death and allow him to see his Redeemer. What makes this statement even more amazing is the time in which Job lived. He was probably a contemporary of Abraham, but before Abraham was called to leave his homeland to become the Patriarch of the Jews. There were no Jewish people. There was no written record of God’s Law since this was at least five hundred years before the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. There was no temple or synagogue. Yet, Job was a godly man and knew that he would someday see his Redeemer.. How?
Job had been given a preview of God’s glory. Although he had been blessed with material possessions and a large family, he knew life was much more. It was about serving God and giving thanks to Him with an honest heart. When he answered his wife’s rebuke to curse God and die, he firmly stated, “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?”
Job 2:10 (CSB)
Job knew that even if his body was wasted away and all his possessions destroyed, he would be resurrected after death and see His Redeemer and Savior, face to face. Like Job, we have all been given a preview of the blessings of God that await us in Heaven. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us of our sins. All who confess and repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior will receive salvation and eternal life.
This life is but a little preview of the riches of God’s Kingdom. Seize the opportunity and accept His invitation.
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 