Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
For many Christians around the world, October 22 is a memorable anniversary of the beginning of what has been understood as the antitypical Day of Atonement--the grand fulfillment of the 2300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14. It's the special time when, during his "time of the end" (11:35; 12:4), hearts alienated from God shall be reconciled to Him in preparation for the return of Jesus.
The world is like "as in the days before the flood" (Matt. 24:38), which means that there is a witness being borne today as Noah bore in those 120 years before the rain fell (Heb. 11:7). Only a few responded then. We are not to be surprised if only a few, comparatively speaking, respond to God's message today.
But this is also a time for special joy. Jesus is real; He is not on vacation. He is ministering from a "store" of much more abounding grace, a message imparted intimately to reconcile hearts to the Father, hearts that have been alienated.
It's the story of Job all over again. Multitudes have met disappointment in life, the shattering of their dreams, the loss of career, a poisoned love, failure of health, and in many cases among us, having to face an untimely death. And in our humanity we have been tempted to feel that either God sent the misfortune or that He was callous in permitting it (remember, temptation is not necessarily sin!).
The family of God is full of people like Job; for each one, the Savior has a special yearning of heart. Can you imagine how His heart sympathized with Job, but there was absolutely nothing that He could do; he had to let Job wrestle all alone down in the arena, or give up the great controversy and let Satan win. And can you imagine how God's heart thrilled with joy to watch Job "overcome" triumphantly? (chapter 42:7-12). Now may we also overcome, and bring joy to His heart! That's a good life work for us.
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 22, 2006.
Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."
