Job 19:25

New International Version

I know that my redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth

For Meditation

The groans of the afflicted soul! How deserted they are!

Their habitation is like a ruined fortress—a defenseless place to occupy. In the wilderness of affliction and pain, nobody remembers your benevolence of yesterday. They see only your misery, and, shaking their heads in disbelief, draw the curtain on you. 

The people who engage you don’t understand either. Neither do they care to know. They theorize about the cause of your troubles and propose your path to God’s mercy and grace. Yet, their ignorance towers above the heavens. Their arguments sound persuasive sometimes, and they may even say some true things. However, they miss the mark with their presumptions. They know nothing about empathy but only their high horses to ride. Some good friends indeed!  

Pathetic friends they are, they do not have the mind of God. Though their presumptions ride on worldly wisdom, their folly reveals their type. In their delusion, they sit in the seat of judgment and deliberate on spiritual matters their carnality cannot perceive. 

Tell it not to Job. He received a high enough dosage from his three friends to make his stomach churn with revulsion. They spurred his groans to hellish level with their piercing accusations and insinuations. They came to comfort but saw enough of Job’s failings to demand he repent. But there is hope for the afflicted in Christ Jesus, as Job affirmed.

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and he will stand upon the earth at last.
And after my body has decayed,
    yet in my body I will see God!
I will see him for myself.
    Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
    I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:25-27N).

O blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Paul looked beyond death and saw Christ Jesus—our Kinsman Redeemer—waiting in heaven to award him the victor’s crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:6-8). That, my friend, is your confident hope in Him, which divine grace will carry you across Jordan into His Presence to receive.

So, do not worry when men revile you. Hold on to your confidence in Christ and live blamelessly for His glory (Titus 2:12; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Though you may suffer for yet a little while, rejoice because your “light and momentary troubles are achieving for [you] an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).  

Let your heart yearn for that day when glory bursts forth before you in His majestic presence, amen!