Originally published Wednesday, 13 September 2017.
Week Ten Study Overview: Today, we will look briefly at Job 18, and dig into chapter 19 as we learn what it means to truly trust our Redeemer.
Key Point of Struggle: How do we trust our Redeemer when loneliness whispers lies that we will never be redeemed from anything?
Key Proof of Comfort: We will work to discover the power in Job 19:25-27.
Poor Job… It doesn’t matter what he said in defense of himself, it was never enough. Bildad didn’t like Job’s previous response in chapters 16 and 17. And, not only did Bildad not like what was said, he also didn’t believe Job. His doctrine dictated that only the wicked were the only ones punished, and that meant Job didn’t stand a chance in his sight. We can all be thankful our Father in heaven is the Supreme Judge. Job understood that principle, and the trust He had in His Redeemer helped him stand against Bildad’s confused theology.
In chapter 19, Job continues to defend his cause. In verses 13-20 he pours his heart out concerning his loneliness. No one wanted anything to do with him.
- Please read Job 19:13-20 to refresh your memory.
- Have you ever felt alone in your trials? If so, consider writing a prayer in your journal asking God to fill the void showing you promise inside pain.
As I’m walking through grief, I often hear myself say things like, “Nobody understands how I feel.” It’s true that not everyone has dealt with my exact loss, but most everyone has experienced loss on some level. I’m awakening to the fact that sometimes feeling lonely inside struggles leads to withdrawal. In the long run, retreating does nothing more than propel the cycle of feeling all alone. It’s important to allow other’s to speak into our lives. Most importantly, we must allow the truth of the Holy Spirit to break down walls blocking our healing.
As Job continues emptying out the contents of his soul, he says something very interesting.
“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever!”
-Job 19:23-24
He wanted his theology recorded, because he knew what he believed and wanted his account on record. And, guess what? God did just that! The book of Job was admitted into the canon of scripture for a very specific purpose. And what Job says next is what keeps me going through every dark place I’ve ever traversed through.
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
Job 19:25-27
There is no possible way I can describe the power those words hold. They aren’t simply platitudes meant to strike emotion. Instead, just like the writer of Hebrews tells us concerning the Word of God, those words are living and active. Job released those words into the air, and God made sure every life would have opportunity to claim it as promise.
Even before the cross, Job knew his Redeemer lived! That’s crazy amazing to me!
- Please write Job 19:25-27 in your journal and read it out loud at least once a day for the next week. You’ll find power in that confession of faith!
On our #WordforYourWeekend subscriber only content, we are going to talk about what it meant to be a “kinsman-redeemer.” We will also look at a couple in the Old Testament who walked out that principle. And, of course, we will point everything we’ve learned to our redemption in Jesus Christ. I hope you join me!
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