I Know My Redeemer Lives
Don’t Throw Away What You Know For What You Don’t Know
Job was confused by life’s problems. Ridiculed by family and friends.
“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, I will see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:23-27
Job lived as a contemporary of Abraham
His book is probably the oldest book of the Bible,
He wanted this IshoutI at his dilemma to be etched, read forever.
a. To have the words engraved on a rock then the letters filled with molten lead.
b. Yet, he received something better than a rock which may last for years but still be lost.
c. His faith-filled shout was inscribed in the eternal Word of God.
Yet, Job knew he had a Redeemer, a mediator between him and God to put one hand on God and the other on him (Job 9:32, 33).
He knew his Redeemer was alive right now and would one day stand on the earth.
a. How did he know he would see his Redeemer with his eyes?
b. Job knew he would die one day and his flesh would decay.
But, how did Job know he would have a resurrection body? A new body that would stand on the earth with his Redeemer?
c. We know these things because they have been recorded in the word of God.
d. We also know there has already been one resurrection body handed out to Jesus Himself. Ours is next.
Paul Also Faced the Circumstances of Life and Ridicule
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
What things will work together for good? (vs. 35)
a. Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword.
How do we handle these problems of life? (vs 33, 34)
a. We speak to them.
What do we say to the things? (vs. 31)
a.” If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Who authors the problems of life we speak to? (vs. 33, 34)
What do we say to ourselves? (vs. 28)
a.” I know all things work together for my good because I love God and am called by His purpose.”
Paul Also Faced Problems as a Minister of the Gospel
“For this reason (called, appointed as a preacher vs. 11), I also suffer these things (prison vs. 8); nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 1 Timothy 1:12
The answer: Hold fast to the promises of the word of God (vs. 13)
a.Which you have read and studied.
b. Which you have learned from others.
By the Holy Spirit in you, guard what you know (vs. 14).
Paul, With the Necessities of Life
“Not that I speak in respect of want (financial need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 (KJV)
Contentment is not based on circumstances.
Contentment is LEARNED.
There Will Be Things You Know and Don’t Know
Job did not know everything to say when he was faced with anger, opinions, and disgust from his friends and family.
Paul had no quick answers when faced with problems such as:
a.The wrath of Satan behind the problems of life.
b.Problems with friends, ministers, religious, and government leaders discrediting his ministry and call to preach.
c. The problems with life’s necessities, money, and food.
What To Do
Don’t throw away what you know because of what you don’t know.
Fall back on what you know. God will reveal what you don’t.
a. Job - “I know my Redeemer lives.”
b. Paul - “I know all things work together for my good.”
c. Paul - “I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day.”
d. Paul - “I know how to be abased, I know how to abound, in all things I am instructed. Therefore, I can do all things through Christ.”