My Redeemer Liveth

“My Redeemer Liveth” by Pastor Daniel Bossidy

 Job 19:25-27 Says “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:” “Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

Of all that Job went through, there was one thing that remained steadfast in his heart, and that was his Redeemer liveth! A person can face a lot of things in life, but if he knows the Lord is with him, then he shall come forth of them all (Ecclesiastes 7:18). His friends thought the reasons for his trials were because of the faults of Job, but we find that none of them really knew why he encountered so much adversity. It was a spiritual battle going on the heavens. God was using these personal trials of Job to defeat and shame the enemy of man, the devil.

God knew Job would be faithful to Him no matter what the tests were. He had confidence in Job’s dedication to God. Job and the Lord had a secret relationship unknown to others. The Lord had spoken things to Job’s heart over the years, all the while preparing him for the days to come. As we read the story, keep in mind that the Lord was preparing Job for these circumstances to hit one day. Look at Job 1: 1 & 5, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” “And it was so, when the days of their [the children of Job] feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”

Job offered to God sacrifices every day for his children. He cared for them a lot. If we turn our attention to Job 1:6-12, we see it was God who initiated the conversation about Job. He expressed His confidence in Job’s fidelity. He said of Job, “There is none like him in the earth.” What a ringing endorsement! No higher accolade could be offered for anyone ever! Almighty God gave such a high recommendation for His servant Job that He would say such things of this man, who was said to be perfect and upright before Him. The devil gains permission to attack Job’s children and wealth, and in verses 20 – 22 of chapter 1, we find that Job still worshiped God in the midst of these tragedies.

But it was not over yet! Looking at Job 2:1-7, we see that just when it looked like things couldn’t get worse, they did! Now he had a physical ailment that was without cause. Some ailments are directly due to disobedience or a terrible attitude, but this one was without cause. Yet Job never blamed God or accused Him of wrong doing. Others told him to give up and die, but he never sinned with his lips. He never blamed God for his troubles. He completely trusted the hand of God upon him. His friend Eliphaz was a descendant of Esau. The area he came from was known for its wisdom of life. He believed Job’s problem stemmed from some sin or iniquity Job committed. His words were full of wisdom, but found later to be nothing but men’s philosophy. True to Eliphaz, but not reality!

The next buddy boy was Bildad the Shuhite, a descendant of Abraham’s 2nd wife, Keturah. He talked about how God’s wrath is “sudden, swift, and terrible upon hypocrites and oppressors.” He too misjudged both Job’s character and Job’s circumstances. Bildad’s words were found to be empty and unedifying.

The 3rd friend was Zophar the Naamathite.  He thought Job deserved more than what he got. He was very critical of Job. But of all these three acquaintances, none of them spoke of Job correctly from God’s perspective. They had their opinions but not God’s outlook. God was working a work through the sufferings of Job to release the people of the land from their ignorance of spiritual matters. The name of the Lord would be proclaimed everywhere because of the relationship Job had with Him. The Lord would not only defeat the devil’s accusations against His servant Job, but would bring to light the ways of God that are higher than man’s ways; Who’s thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts. He is blessed forever, for He can change a terrible situation around to bring forth His glory, and the knowledge of His presence, to even the Gentiles that watch your life. If you are facing a problem today, don’t turn away from the Lord, but rather turn towards Him, for your Redeemer still lives, and He will stand upon the earth in the latter days!

May God abundantly bless you as you continue to trust in Him!