"JOB'S SURE HOPE" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 3/5/26

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25, 26)

When the faith of a child of God is desperately tried it falls upon the truth and justice of God. Saints, when in dark times have been led to great discoveries of comfort. Here Job found an argument for his own comfort. If he should die under slander from his accusers, he was certain that his God would not leave him unvindicated forever, that the tried saints so maligned and injured would be cleared. Thus, the Spirit revealed to the afflicted patriarch a living Next-of-Kin and a Redeemer, a future judgment, a resurrection, and an eternal justification of the children of God. This great light came into Job’s darkness, and he was made the infinite gainer through his temporary losses.

Job was driven by his solemn assurance of the faithfulness of God to believe in a future state, and in a Vindicator who would one day set everything right. From what other source should we find consolation, since Job’s Redeemer, Kinsman, and Vindicator is also ours. Believers in times of sharp trials are driven, first, out of themselves to look to God, their Redeemer. They are driven, secondly, to look within themselves for a sure and unquestioning personal knowledge of that which is set forth in the covenant of grace: “I KNOW that MY REDEEMER liveth.” They are driven, thirdly, to live much upon the unseen, namely, their living Redeemer’s advent in the later day: “That he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” They are driven, fourthly to draw their comfort from the fact that they too shall stand with their blessed Redeemer in the resurrection. This is the sure hope of every child of God.

While Job was surrounded by cruel friends, he had a true Friend, one that would see to it that every tongue that should rise against him should be condemned. He had a Kinsman. Though his recent complaint was “My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me,” (Vs. 14) he had a Redeemer, a Near Kinsman. None are so near to us as Jesus. He is a “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” for He is our covenant Elder Brother, and our Near Kinsman. He is not ashamed to own us. “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” (Heb. 2:11) Even when His disciples had forsaken Him, He called them “My brethren.” (Matt. 28:10)

This is He whom Job called, “My Redeemer.” He was not only his sympathetic Kinsman, and Vindicator, He was his Kinsman Redeemer, his Goel. He had redeemed his person from bondage, his lost estates, privileges, and joys from the hand of the enemy; redeeming both by price and power.

Job possessed great riches in absolute poverty. Having lost all earthly possessions, and the people who were dear to him, he held as personal property the Redeemer. It was because he could say “My redeemer liveth,” that he could say following the loss of his family and all of his earthly possessions, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Ch. 1:21) That was his testimony then, so now, as his afflictions and trials continue, he is still confident that all is well, for his Redeemer lives, and his future hope is therefore secure.

Job had an absolute certainty amid uncertain affairs. “I know.” Everything else was questionable, but this was certain. His faith made him certain. Faith is its own evidence, substantiating what it receives, thus making us to know. Jobs trials could not make him doubt, for they touched not his relationship with God, or the heart of his Redeemer. His difficulties could not make him fear failure on this point, for the life of the Redeemer was the source of his deliverance. His censorious, judgmental friends could not move him from the assured conviction that the Lord will vindicate His righteous people and cause.

If we are sure about anything, let it be concerning our Redeemer. If we have an unshakable claim, let it be to our Redeemer. If we cling with tenacity to any truth, let it be to our Redeemer’s resurrection and life. This is the foundation of our faith, and the pinnacle of our hope. “Because I live, ye shall live also.” (John 14:19)