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January 8th

“Listen to Job’s personal testimony: “O that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! “For I know that my Redeemer lives”, and at the last, he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh, I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”

‭‭Job‬ ‭19:23-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ ...

The reading before us today, Job chapters 17-20, reveals a faith in the Lord that inspires me to steadfastness in my own walk with Him....especially in times of desperate suffering.

Job’s faith was indeed tested...at every turn it seems. His livelihood was taken from him. His children were all taken from him. His health was taken from him. His wife’s trust was taken from him. The loyalty of his closest friends was taken from him. His reputation was taken from. And his righteous legacy was taken from him. Indeed Job’s faith (in God’s words and actions) was tested. And with God’s power, Job came through with flying colors.

Job’s friend, Bildad, had just visited Job again. On his way out the door, he said in Job’s hearing, “Surely this is the dwelling of the unrighteous...such is the place of him who knows not God.”

And how Job responded to Bildad’s remark is epic. Listen to how Job starts...”For I Know...”(not I hope so, not I think so, but I know so!... Knows with the knowledge of God Himself. And what is it that Job knows so confidently?...”For I know that my Redeemer lives! And at the last, He will stand upon the earth. And though my skin has been destroyed, in my flesh I shall see God...and my heart faints within me for anticipation.”

Wow...that’s a double Wow to me. Job’s faith was in the “living” God...the God who would Himself leave heaven and stand upon the earth one day...the God whom Job himself would see with his very own eyes...and he could hardly wait. And how did that translate into Job facing his pain, his great losses?

“I'm not alone. My Redeemer/Savior Lives to strengthen me, to help me, to uphold me and my words no matter how bad it gets with His righteous right hand.”

“My Redeemer/Savior is more powerful than suffering, more powerful than dying and more powerful than death...Right now...forever...for me! I'm not alone and I am not helpless and hopeless...my God sees and knows and is in complete control. I'm trusting Him again!”

And friends let us say out loud right along with Job...”Our Redeemer Lives” ( on this side of the cross because of the resurrection)....and we too cant wait to see Him with our own eyes...so we keep on keeping on no matter what.