Pain comes in many shapes and sizes. It ranges from tiny cuts to torture to terrible disease to death. We’ve all experienced discomfort in some form or another. How have we responded?
Gazing with earthly eyes, it appeared Horatio and Anna Spafford encountered tremendous tragedy (post from 10/9/16). And yes they faced unbearable pain. But the Spaffords lived life with a heavenly purpose, and though they lost children and material stuff, they trusted God to redeem all things.
Remember: Horatio wrote “it is well with my soul”.
Because they knew their Redeemer lived, they also believed their children lived with Him. They put confidence in the joy of knowing Jesus. They persevered through agony while looking forward to heavenly joy.
Jesus knew heavenly joy, and He resolved on earth to endure pain because of the reward. Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). He looked forward to the joy of life eternal, even as He faced unimaginable torture and death. And He did it for you and me!
Jesus knew heavenly joy, and He resolved on earth to endure pain because of the reward. Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). He looked forward to the joy of life eternal, even as He faced unimaginable torture and death. And He did it for you and me!
Can I say, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and when I die, I will see God.”
An upright and blameless Old Testament Biblical character named Job also endured tremendous tragedy. Job and his wife survived the loss of possessions and children in one day. Through all this calamity, his body developed boils from head to toe. His wife taunted him with the temptation to curse God and die.
Though he faced excruciating earthly situations and grappled with them, he eventually came to this confirming conclusion about God. In the midst of suffering, Job said without a doubt, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth” (Job 19:25).
Job believed his Lord lived on in eternity and he knew he would see Him on the other side. He confidently made that statement to his friends who questioned his belief. He assuredly spoke those words as pain gripped his heart. He hopefully claimed his belief while miserable circumstances surrounded him. With resolution, he stood firm through his struggles.
Though I too struggle with earthly trials, with doubts, with fears for family, faith, my nation, and the world, I still desire to stand with Horatio, Anna, Job, and Jesus. I want to be able to say with courage and conviction, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and when I die, I will see God.”
What pain bears down on you now? What sorrows do you face? How are you responding to your situation?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Remember the trials of Horatio Spafford. Bear in mind the misery of Job. Be mindful of the fact that you have a Savior who died for you, a Redeemer who desires for you to experience joy with Him. `
Joy awaits, so stand firm in the power of your mighty Redeemer. Your soul will be well.
P.S. Do you want to know the end of Job’s story? I hope you’ll read about it in the book of Job found in the Old Testament. In the meantime, pore over some statements below made by Job as he wrestled with the reality of his heartbreaking earthly trials and the promise of a joy-filled heavenly purpose.
My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Psalm 6:3 (NIV)
This, at least, gives me comfort despite all the pain—that I have not denied the words of the holy God. Job 6:10 (TLB)
“Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Job 7:11 (NIV)
“I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. Job 10:1 (NIV)
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God! Then he will be on my side! Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend! What a glorious hope! Job 19: 25-27 (TLB)
Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor? Job 30:25 (NIV)
He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 (NIV)
Bless the Lord, the God of Israel, who exists from everlasting ages past—and on into everlasting eternity ahead. Amen and amen! Psalm 41:13 (TLB)
Enjoy praising your Redeemer......
Enjoy praising your Redeemer......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkLuZxqPPzE - "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRW-jr_PnbQ - Nicole C. Mullen - "My Redeemer Lives"