My Redeemer LIves

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."- Job 19:25

The world can turn upside down in a moment.  We can be driving around, dodging all obstacles, thinking life is perfect, when suddenly we hit an unseen pothole and careen recklessly into thin air, pitching over the side of the hill.  (I once drove a car over a hill.  Even though it was over 28 years ago, I can still remember that it was no fun.  Especially for my Mom, who chased me down the hill in her high heels and pantyholes... )

So unexpected obstacles can be difficult, especially for this girl who had her life planned out at the age of 18.  My best bet is, you've had life throw you curve balls, too.  One good example of this is Job in the Bible.  Job lost his livestock and all of his kids on the same day. He was just sitting at home, minding his own business, when his servants began to arrive one after another.  Each one was bearing a little  bit more bad news. Then there was his Negativity Nancy wife, who told him to "curse God and die".  And then came his friends... if they were his friends, I'd hate to see his enemies.  They basically told him that he must have done something wrong to deserve all the trouble that was coming his way.  Trouble and hard times was seen as punishment for sin, and even though Job was righteous, they couldn't see how if he was so good how all of these bad things could be happening.  They delivered lengthy oratories declaring his so-called " badness".  Then, Job spoke up against all they were saying.  And even though as you read his words you get a sense of desperation, a sense that at the moment he couldn't really feel God's presence and wasn't really sure how God was working in his life, he attested to one belief. 

His Redeemer lives.  According to Dictionary.com, a redeemer is someone who "recovers" or "frees", who "regains" or "fulfills" or "makes amends for".  We needed a redeemer to make amends for sin we would commit, and continue to commit.  I need a redeemer daily.  What Job spoke of, though, came true... as soon as Satan got finished testing Job, and saw he would continue to be faithful, Job's wealth was "recovered".. he was given all he had and then some. 

And I think that's how our Redeemer works, too.  When we accept his sovereignity in our lives, He begins to multiply.  Any trial we go through ends in something bigger than we could have ever imagined.  Financial hardships lead to us being better off than we were to begin.  Having to work hard to obtain something leads to us appreciating where we came from. Troubles in relationships lead to sweeter togetherness after you work through issues. Because He is a recoverer.  He is one who fulfills our needs. He is a sustainer. 

So maybe you've had a rough week.. a rough year.  Maybe you feel like you'll never be good enough. Maybe you don't know why you keep trying. Maybe your marriage is on the rocks and someone ran over your dog.  Maybe you aren't sure why you're blue, but you are. Know this.  Your Redeemer, my Redeemer, lives.  He suffered on Calvary so that we can understand suffering here on Earth, so that He can empathize with us in our difficulties and intercede on our behalf to our Father, His Father.  He was nailed on the tree and went to a criminal death so that we could be pardoned. He descended into Hell and freed the captives and He is returning to free us from our misery here.  He has Redeemed us... and Our Redeemer lives.  And at the end, He will return in Beautiful glory and every knee will bow, every eye look upon Him and know that He is Lord.  Rocks will cry out and the mountains will rejoice and all of creation will sing of His glory.  We will live forever with Him, the Prince Charming that will never disappoint... Oh, the Hope of Glory... our Redeemer, can get us through whatever trials we go through down here.  It's so going to be worth it.