PRIME-TIME GRACE

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Scripture Reading: Job 29:1-6

“Oh, for the days when I was in my prime …”
Job 29:4

Describing the days of his prime, Job laments, “How I long for … the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head.”

This makes me think I must be in my prime because Psalm 121 tells me five times that the Lord watches over me. And Psalm 119:105 reminds me that God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”—so it must be for my head too. Psalm 139:12 adds, saying to God, “Even the darkness will not be dark to you.”

Job explains that he was in his prime “when God’s intimate friendship blessed [his] house.” And John 15:13-15 reminds me that my friend Jesus gave his life for me.

“When the Almighty was still with me,” says Job—ah, those were the days! And I’m comforted to remember that my risen Lord says, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

Job notes that times were good also when his children were around him. I count myself blessed too, in spite of geographical distances, because I carry my children and grandchildren in my heart every day.

For Job, life with God was so good that “streams of olive oil” flowed freely. And with the psalmist I can say, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5).

In God’s time any time is prime time.