February 25

“I would state my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments!” — Job 23:4

Job had confidence that God was his Friend, and that if he could stand before Him and tell Him all about his life–it would be well with him. Every Christian may have the same confidence. This does not mean that we have no sins, and that we can appear in God’s presence and explain our acts to Him and show Him that we have done nothing wrong. We are sinners, and we can come before Him only with penitence and confession. But when we come thus, and cast ourselves on His love and mercy–we may state our case before him without fear–not pleading innocence, but pleading the grace of Christ. We know that God is pitiful toward our infirmities. Knowing all about us–He yet loves us with a love that is infinitely gracious! “Like a father pities his children–so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame–He remembers that we are but dust!”

A still sweeter truth than that which is uttered here–is that we have One who can order our cause before God, and who will always find acceptance for us. “If anyone sins,” said the beloved disciple, “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.” We may go to God always in His name, sure that in His hands all our interests will be safe, for He ever lives to make intercession for us! Our cause will never suffer–in the hands of Him who died for us!