My Redeemer Lives!
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and He shall stand at last on the earth.
Job 19.25
As we study through the book of Job, we see that he lost all his children, his wealth and livelihood and even his health – all in a very short time period. And as Job and his friends debate, we see Job often sinking into depression and despair – not because he lost everything. But because he doesn’t sense the presence of God anymore.
But amazingly, we also see Job rising up to some mountaintops of faith. In Job 1.21, after he learns of his losses, he proclaims – ‘…the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’. Amazing faith!
And here in today’s verse, after Job has hit bottom, he suddenly shoots up to the mountaintop of faith and proclaims – ‘For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth!’ Stop to think about what Job is saying – it truly is amazing faith!
First, notice that he says he KNOWS – he is certain of it. He is not just hoping or wishing for it, but knows it!
Secondly, he knows and is certain that his Redeemer LIVES!
Job is not putting his faith in a dead Redeemer, but a living One!
Next he says it is MY Redeemer. Did you catch that? Job makes it personal – not just any Redeemer, but MINE!
Lastly, Job knows for sure that his Redeemer is coming back to earth; that his Redeemer will one day stand on the earth! Job has faith that his Redeemer will COME BACK for him!
What amazing faith from a man who is suffering immense trials and tribulations. And remember, Job lived literally centuries before Jesus! In fact, he likely lived before Moses and the Law! That makes his faith even more amazing!
But let’s ask ourselves – how is our faith? In trials, can we also like Job proclaim – I know my Redeemer lives? Or the Lord gave and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord? How is our faith in light of knowing Jesus and having God’s Word? Do we know our Redeemer lives? And that He is returning for us?
David Pham