A Declaration Of A Relentless And Gritty Faith Job’s Declaration: I Know That My Redeemer Lives! – The power of this is best appreciated through its context... Job life is ground zero in a battle between Satan and God. Satan has accused both God and Job. Victory is found through Job’s trials. Losses: Children, possessions, houses, animals, servants, & his health Friends arrive to provide comfort – Starts with silence, then they turn to accusations against Job. They spoke what made sense to them. Said Job must be being punished by God for sin… This sin had to be serious. They felt like Job was just covering it up. Job maintains his innocence despite what he hears and experiences

A Declaration Of A Relentless And Gritty Faith Job’s Declaration: I Know That My Redeemer Lives! – He wishes his words could be kept in a permanent record because he was certain he would be vindicated (Job 19:23-24) He felt like no one listened. No one considered he might be right and their theology might be wrong. One day it would all be clear. Three statements in growing intensity – Written down, inscribed on a scroll, engraved on stone and filled with lead… Permanence! How ironic! If Job only knew just how permanent his words were… They were being kept on a record far more lasting than stone & lead! Great confidence… Despite the present circumstances, he was certain the future would change. Today made no sense, but tomorrow would be made right. He had questions, but still confident in God.

A Declaration Of A Relentless And Gritty Faith Job’s Declaration: I Know That My Redeemer Lives! – Why confident? He knew that his redeemer lived (Job 19:25) Redeemer is a word rich in OT imagery. From a “kinsmen redeemer” to God as Israel’s Redeemer (Lev. 25:47-49; Jer. 50:33-34) He had no direct promise from God about how this would all shake out, but he is confident in God’s deliverance. God would do right! How can he say this when he has questioned God so bluntly? He is struggling as he lines his knowledge up with what he sees and experiences. His faith is real. No empty “sugar coated” words He could look beyond the present based on what he knew about God. He knew God was God and that God would do what was right sooner or later. His frustration wasn’t a lack of faith but a wrestling to make sense of it all. A sincere, genuine, & realistic faith! (Job 13:15) His “Redeemer lives” – Obvious since it is God… But not so obvious when you consider how silent God has been and distant God has seemed!

A Declaration Of A Relentless And Gritty Faith Job’s Declaration: I Know That My Redeemer Lives! – He knew his redeemer would stand at last on the earth (vs. 25) Remember the “redeemer” concept – It’s a legal issue. “Standing” indicates rising up to defend or deliver one in trouble… speak out Satan “stood” to accuse Job… His friends “stood” to accuse Job… One day God would stand in order to vindicate Job! But all Job had was silence. He cried out for God to respond, but got nothing. He knew God and knew God would eventually speak What about standing “on earth” – Perhaps this indicates his confidence in God’s nearness to him. That God would come to Job to defend him

A Declaration Of A Relentless And Gritty Faith Job’s Declaration: I Know That My Redeemer Lives! – He knew once his skin was destroyed he would see God personally, with his own eyes (vs ) His words are so shocking for their time that its tempting to look for another explanation, but there’s no reason to question the most obvious understanding… Job believed in being resurrected This is impressive because most men of faith in that time only spoke of being “gathered to their people” – Job spoke of seeing God! This is impressive because there is no indication Job had ever seen or heard of a resurrection. He lived LONG before Jesus was raised. This thought excites Job to an incredible level – His body was wasting away, but he wouldn’t waste away. Departure from this life didn’t mean departure from fellowship with God. God is the God of Abraham… Isaac… Jacob… and Job! God of the living! Not all the details understood, but he got enough (I Jn 3:2; I Cor 15)

A Declaration Of A Relentless & Gritty Faith Our pursuit of such a determined & enduring faith: – Having questions and frustrations doesn’t indicate a lack of faith. When we feel this way, we need to go to God with our emotions, struggles, and cares. – Knowledge becomes vital! Circumstances will sometimes hide the foundations of our faith from us. Our experiences may seem to contradict our faith. Satan uses this to attack our trust. Return to “I know that…” (2 Tim 1:12; Jas 1:2-3; 1 Jn 2:3) – Sometimes our walk of faith will be a great string of spiritually high events… trusting God will be easy. But there will be times when it takes a relentless & gritty determination to keep on! – We will face uncertainties in life. We will deal with accusers. Remember, your Redeemer lives! God vindicates, rights wrongs, and defends. We will see God! (I Pet 1:6-9; 1 Jn 3:2) – The outcome depends on who we are before the trial begins.