THE CHILDREN'S LIFELINE

Elihu in the course of a long sermon to Job, spoke of "the light of the living". The Almighty would graciously grant this to Job and indeed to all who sought salvation. Thus even thousands of years ago there were glad tidings for the needy, bringing many of the blessings which we enjoy in our own Gospel. Elihu spoke of God's favour, of ransom, deliverance, righteousness and of a desire to justify Job. It was an early foreglow of the light of God's desire and power to bless mankind on account of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. All was ready in His heart and it was a matter on Job's part of feeling his need. It is indeed so with ourselves, young and old, who may enjoy the full light of reconciliation, or friendship with God.

David, in one of his Psalms – really a Prayer – wrote of God, known to him as Jehovah, being his portion in "the land of the living". At the time David was taking refuge in a dark cave because his life was in danger although he had done no wrong. The land of the living is very much like "eternal life", known when all around seems touched by darkness and death. You may not know much about this blessing but it is one that is given to us in the glad tidings. The Lord Jesus promised it as a fountain springing up within the believer. David in his painful experiences felt as if no one cared for his soul. But his God cared for him. You can never say that no one cared for your soul because there are those, maybe many, who pray for you and you have been baptised in faith that you would come to know the Lord for yourself.

Scripture also speaks of "the bundle of the living". This at first sight seems a strange picture-word to use, but this too is just another of the blessings that divine love has in store for us according to the glad tidings. Believers are not intended to be merely so many individual persons but when indwelt by the Holy Spirit we are bound together for the greater enjoyment of what is really life. This helps to explain that there is "one body in Christ", and having the Spirit we are members of it. As in your human body, each member must do its own distinct work for the benefit of the whole. Do you know your place in the body of Christ?

J.C.Evershed