I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes I, and not another. Job 19:25-27
Since the sin of Adam and Eve the world has been saturated with sin and wickedness. Evil and darkness have been overshadowing the earth and causing enmity between God and His creation. Demonic spirits, powers and principalities have been allowed to wreak havoc in the world. Bloodshed, wars, famines, plagues, natural disasters, sickness and diseases, and death have terrorized the hearts and minds of people creating fear and panic even among believers.
At times it looks as if God is on vacation or is completely removed from the struggles of humanity. Indeed, the proliferation of evil in the world can cause even the righteous to wonder about God’s benevolent love at times. As we continue to watch senseless bloodshed, mass shootings, oppression and marginalization of the weak and vulnerable, we are made to wonder, does our redeemer live.
The answer is emphatically yes. Our redeemer lives and reigns over all creation and spiritual forces. Our redeemer came on the earth to set us free from the wrath of a righteous God and give us eternal life. He conquered death and the grave and ascended to heaven to intercede for those who believe in Him. Jesus, our redeemer, has not forsaken us. In His name we can triumph over demonic spirits and all manners of evil. Jesus has given us authority over the demonic kingdom and the power to transform this earthly realm into the kingdom of God.
In today’s text, Job proclaims his confidence in the redeemer. Despite his suffering and dire circumstances, Job declares, “I know my redeemer lives.” Jesus lives in our hearts. His existence is beyond question. Yet it can only be realized and experienced by faith. Jesus is still saving souls in the world. He is still mending our brokenness and giving hope to the hopeless.
Our redeemer lives though each and ever believer who is doing His great commission work and transforming this world into His kingdom. Yet, in the end, He will stand on the earth as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In Revelation 1:7, we read, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen”
In verse 26, Job professes his confidence that even after death he will see the redeemer in his resurrected flesh. Job is the first biblical writer to espouse a Christology, and confirm the rapture and the salvation of believers. Thus we read in 1 Corinthians 15:52, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
When we are weary and worn by the trials of life, we must ask the Holy Spirit to fan the flame of our faith so we can continue to press toward the mark to get our crown. Our redeemer promises, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Our redeemer lives in our hearts and is actively engaged in a cosmic battle for the salvation of His creation against the forces of darkness.
The day will come when every believer will see the redeemer for themselves. We will see his nail-pierced hands and rejoice in the heavenly abode He has prepared for us. Until then, we have to be bold and courageous as we take authority over diseases, death, demonic spirits, racism, oppression, sexist, poverty, and all other forms of evil in the world.
Questions for Personal Reflection
Why is it necessary for believers to know that Jesus, the redeemer, lives?
What is a redeemer? Is Jesus your redeemer?
Prayer- Blessed Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to be my redeemer. When trials and tribulations try to overwhelm my soul, please remind me that I already have victory because my redeemer lives.