My Redeemer Lives — Part 4: April 4, 2024

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                      My Redeemer Lives - Part 4
                             Job 19:23-27
                              04/04/2024


        23   Oh that my words were written!  Oh that they were
             inscribed in a book!
        24   Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were
             engraved in the rock forever!
        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!  (ESV)

        Job felt that God was not listening to his plea for mercy.
   Yet, in his words of hope, Job confesses that God is present even
   though silent for a time.  God is hidden in suffering, which is
   called the ``theology of the cross.''

        Oh that my words were written!  Oh that they were
        inscribed in a book!  Oh that with an iron pen and lead
        they were engraved in the rock forever!  For I know
        that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand
        upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus
        destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I
        shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not
        another.  My heart faints within me!


        Even while God's people are mourning their losses and suffer
   in ways that seem unfair, the Lord remains the Redeemer of His
   people.  God governs creation and life according to His good and
   gracious will.

        Nowhere is this more evident than in the innocent suffering
   and death of Jesus.  He was declared guiltless by Pontius Pilate,
   for there was indeed no sin in Him.  Yet, at the insistence of
   the rulers of the people, Jesus died.  He took upon Himself our
   sin, and in turn gives us His righteousness.  His empty tomb
   foreshadows our eternal life with Him.  What comfort this brings,
   especially when life becomes difficult.

        He is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Amen.