If you have often listened to Handel's Messiah (a favourite Christmas Concert in the West), then you can probably finish the title line of this post. One of the many scripture based pieces in the Messiah is taken from Job, including the line "I know that my Redeemer lives."
We live in a world of uncertainty. It is a world in which truth is ever harder to discern. For example watching a movie, I don't know if what I see is "the real thing" or has been digitally altered or digitally created. When I read something on the internet - even if it is spreading throughout the electronic world - I may learn tomorrow that this was false information.
More than this, there are millions who live with the world view that there is no ultimate absolute truth. What you believe or know as truth is not the same as what I believe and know. You have your truth and I have mine. Truth is relative.
So what do you really know? With Job I want to affirm every day, "I know that my Redeemer is alive". I know it from the historical evidence recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I know it from the post resurrection changed lives of those earliest followers of Jesus. I know it from the history of changed lives down through the centuries. I know this truth from the testimony of many I have met - from a variety of countries, ethnic groups, social backgrounds, educational levels. And I know that my Redeemer lives because of what He has done in and through me.
Job was living in days of despair. He was questioning many things about life and about God. Yet somehow, in the midst of those dark days, he breaks through with these wonderful words of affirmation. May this knowledge be your firm foundation; may this testimony be yours, even on the worst days of your life. May it comfort you and fill you with joyful anticipation.
I know that my Defender lives,
and in the end he will stand upon the earth.
Even after my skin has been destroyed,
in my flesh I will see God.
I will see him myself;
I will see him with my very own eyes.
How my heart wants that to happen!
Job 19:25 - 27 New Century Version
We live in a world of uncertainty. It is a world in which truth is ever harder to discern. For example watching a movie, I don't know if what I see is "the real thing" or has been digitally altered or digitally created. When I read something on the internet - even if it is spreading throughout the electronic world - I may learn tomorrow that this was false information.
More than this, there are millions who live with the world view that there is no ultimate absolute truth. What you believe or know as truth is not the same as what I believe and know. You have your truth and I have mine. Truth is relative.
So what do you really know? With Job I want to affirm every day, "I know that my Redeemer is alive". I know it from the historical evidence recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I know it from the post resurrection changed lives of those earliest followers of Jesus. I know it from the history of changed lives down through the centuries. I know this truth from the testimony of many I have met - from a variety of countries, ethnic groups, social backgrounds, educational levels. And I know that my Redeemer lives because of what He has done in and through me.
Job was living in days of despair. He was questioning many things about life and about God. Yet somehow, in the midst of those dark days, he breaks through with these wonderful words of affirmation. May this knowledge be your firm foundation; may this testimony be yours, even on the worst days of your life. May it comfort you and fill you with joyful anticipation.
I know that my Defender lives,
and in the end he will stand upon the earth.
Even after my skin has been destroyed,
in my flesh I will see God.
I will see him myself;
I will see him with my very own eyes.
How my heart wants that to happen!
Job 19:25 - 27 New Century Version
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