When all of life caves in, what then? Is God there? Does God care? Our hope and faith are only as strong as the object in which we place them. Job’s confidence was in God.
As Job continued to pour out his heart over his suffering, he gave glimpses of his relationship with God. We heard it earlier when he said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). Here again, in conflict with friends he remembers who God is. As our Redeemer, God redeems everything he allows. God did not cause Job’s suffering, but in the story, he allowed it. Job says, “He will also redeem it.”
Job teaches us more: God is incarnate – he shows up. In the final chapters of this book, Job has a close encounter with God. What about us? Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, indeed stood on the earth. And he will again. Even if his body is destroyed, Job knows he will see God personally and visibly. This is resurrection hope. Again, Job says, “Even if he slays me, I will trust him” (Job 13:15). In a powerful theophany, God will fulfill Job’s hope. His faith will become sight.
Job’s faith is completed in our trust in Jesus Christ. Our Lord is our Redeemer. He redeems all that he allows in our world. Some day we will see him again. This life is not the end. One day, Jesus will split the sky with the sound of a trumpet. He will return personally, visibly, powerfully, and victoriously.
When Jesus decides to return, he is not going to check if it works with all the charts we have developed. He won’t send an angel in his stead. Every eye will see him and know that he is Lord. He will not come to take sides in our internecine strife. Jesus will come to take over. This is our hope.
