The Turning Point

As Job reached the end of his rope and he can see no hope for him in the light of all the negative circumstances around him he comes to a new conclusion, different than the one of chapter 17. All that he has experienced continues to be his reality; money gone, children gone, friends gone, health gone. But, in 19:25-27, he makes this remarkable statement: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes--I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!" Now Job expresses hope, hope in God alone.

David must have read the book of Job. In Psalm 42 he writes of his tears and sadness and he instructs his inner self to turn its focus to God alone. "Why are you downcast , O my soul? Put your hope in God." While we may not understand our circumstances, (God's ways are often beyond our understanding,) We can still have hope. The end of the story is not yet. God is good, even if our circumstances are not. In the end we will see and experience this goodness. This is the only hope that stands the test of time. Today my circumstances are mostly good. Tomorrow I cannot be sure if I will have this same blessing. The book of Job, (and Psalm 42,) help me be ready for all that life may throw at me. "Life is hard but God is good." I don't know who said it but they they were right. I know that my Redeemer lives and I will someday see him and be with him. That truth makes all the difference.