READ: Job 19
Verses chosen for meditation: Job 19: 25-27.
25 For
I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in
my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see
for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My
heart faints within me!
REFLECT
Again, it is not uncommon to hear of Christians asking the question: “why God
allows suffering on good people”. In fact, the overall book of Job does not serve
to answer our question or provide an explanation directly. Thus far, all the predicaments
around Job were surrounded by mystery. And often we too, simply cannot comprehend or
accept them all.
Job rebuked his friends and rejected their assertion that his sufferings
must be due to his sins. He considered himself as not being a wicked person. God
had made it look as if he had sinned, by placing him in different humiliating
situations. Job could do nothing about his situations but felt helpless. We can
therefore be able to identify why Job lamented and burst out at God or even questioned Him.
RELATE
Perhaps, Job’s greatest pain and struggle here was that God has been
silent thus far. God was far away from him and kept His silence (v.7). Job’s
misery was that all his family members, servants and even his wife had
abandoned him (vv.13-20). Adding to silence, this was an echo of the loneliness
of hell. Contrary to what we believe that God is just and compassionate, we expect
an explanation from Him. Job had longed that someone would write down his
defence in a permanent form to vindicate him or provide some kind of response.
Contrary, Job’s trying experience had served to deepen his faith
in God. Amid his despair, Job recognised
the need of redemption. He clearly understood not to rely on his moral
character to be counted as righteous in God’s sight. In an astonishing clarity
of faith, Job boldly declared: “I know that my redeemer lives” (v.25). This
redeemer (a vindicator of one unjustly wronged, defender of the oppressed) can
be none other than God Himself.
Job's
revelation was very limited, yet he was comforted that his Redeemer somehow would
stand for him, as it were, against the wrath of God. Job believed in the
Messiah (Jesus Christ) who is coming again as his victorious and King to establish
His kingdom on earth. Job believed (vv. 25 - 27)
that there is hope in God and that He still saves. He was confident that one day, he shall see God after his bodily resurrection (I Pet 1:8, I Cor
15:42). This was his absolute assurance and hope!
Consider this application:
When life tumbles in, leaving us mystified and lonely,
are we allowing God to plant hope and faith in our minds and hearts? Do we
humbly recognise God’s inscrutable wisdom because He knows what He is doing or
doubt that He cares or will intervene?
We may not have everything we want here on earth or even understand every situation. But we will one day prosper for all eternity through the restoration work of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We need His grace and comfort; we need to trust in the goodness and Sovereignty of the One who knows all and is Above All. We keep focus on our Creator and enter His presence daily with assurance through the portal of His Holy Word. He will bring us through till we meet our Vindicator and Defender. Until then, we will find refuge, comfort, contentment and eternal joy (Psalms 73:25-28).
REST
An old song to share: “My Redeemer Lives”,
https://youtu.be/3glYEDzSyok?si=hhUkv15umFwrf4eE
Vincent
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