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Day 142, or May 22.

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There are some things that are guaranteed.

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Our thoughts today are rooted in Job chapter 19 verse 25.

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I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

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First the big picture surrounding this verse.

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Small words from Bildad that are brushed aside by Job, who is more convinced than ever that

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God has it in for him and his friends are not supportive at all.

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He feels absolutely rejected and alone.

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He is in the all too common position of being surrounded by people, but feeling totally

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isolated.

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Job reminds his friends that ultimately everyone is answerable to God, and that includes them.

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In all this uncertainty, Job is certain about one thing at least, and that is that in God

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his Redeemer he has someone who is totally dependable.

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I believe it is perfectly acceptable to think of God as our Redeemer, even though it is

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Jesus who is the sacrifice that actually redeems us.

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In just the same way, we can think of Jesus as our comforter and guide, even though it

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is actually the Holy Spirit who fulfills this ministry within us.

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These are just two of the aspects of worshipping a triune God, who is Father, Son, and Holy

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Spirit.

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And now today's action step.

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In a world where less and less is permanent and more and more is uncertain, isn't it refreshing

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to hear Job's words of assurance?

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He declares that he knows, not that he hopes, but that he knows that his Redeemer lives.

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This is not conditional upon how much faith Job has, because the reality of it is that

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his Redeemer lives whether he believes it or not.

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That's a mistake too many make today.

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Believing that God does not exist or is not interested in mere humanity does not make

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it so.

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God is still the same yesterday, today, and forever.

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In our most positive times when God is particularly close to us, He is no more real than when

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we doubt His very existence.

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It's worth recalling this in our low times.

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We can always say, I know that my Redeemer lives.