Evening, January 10
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Job 19:26
"In my flesh shall I see God."
Job 19:26
Mark the subject of Job's devout anticipation "I shall see God." He
does not say, "I shall see the saints"--though doubtless that will be
untold felicity--but, "I shall see God." It is not--"I shall see the
pearly gates, I shall behold the walls of jasper, I shall gaze upon the
crowns of gold," but "I shall see God." This is the sum and substance
of heaven, this is the joyful hope of all believers. It is their
delight to see him now in the ordinances by faith. They love to behold
him in communion and in prayer; but there in heaven they shall have an
open and unclouded vision, and thus seeing "him as he is," shall be
made completely like him. Likeness to God--what can we wish for more?
And a sight of God--what can we desire better? Some read the passage,
"Yet, I shall see God in my flesh," and find here an allusion to
Christ, as the "Word made flesh," and that glorious beholding of him
which shall be the splendour of the latter days. Whether so or not it
is certain that Christ shall be the object of our eternal vision; nor
shall we ever want any joy beyond that of seeing him. Think not that
this will be a narrow sphere for the mind to dwell in. It is but one
source of delight, but that source is infinite. All his attributes
shall be subjects for contemplation, and as he is infinite under each
aspect, there is no fear of exhaustion. His works, his gifts, his love
to us, and his glory in all his purposes, and in all his actions, these
shall make a theme which will be ever new. The patriarch looked forward
to this sight of God as a personal enjoyment. "Whom mine eye shall
behold, and not another." Take realizing views of heaven's bliss; think
what it will be to you. "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty."
All earthly brightness fades and darkens as we gaze upon it, but here
is a brightness which can never dim, a glory which can never fade--"I
shall see God."