Knowing God through His Word … Day by Day

In Job 14, we see Job’s emotions on a seeming roller coaster. He begins:

    “Man who is born of a woman
        is few of days and full of trouble.
    He comes out like a flower and withers;
        he flees like a shadow and continues not.
(Job 14:1-2 ESV)

But as we read on, we see hope is rising in Job’s heart.  In verses 13-17,

    Oh that you would hide me in Sheol,
        that you would conceal me until your wrath be past,
        that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
    If a man dies, shall he live again?
        All the days of my service I would wait,
        till my renewal should come.
    You would call, and I would answer you;
        you would long for the work of your hands.
    For then you would number my steps;
        you would not keep watch over my sin;
    my transgression would be sealed up in a bag,
        and you would cover over my iniquity.
(Job 14:13-17 ESV)

In Isaiah 53 we read of the price for our redemption:

But he [Jesus] was pierced for our transgressions;
        he was crushed for our iniquities;
    upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
        and with his wounds we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5 ESV)

We have the benefit of looking back on the finished work of Christ on the cross, securing our forgiveness, renewal and redemption.  Job was looking forward in faith to a time when he would be renewed, remembered by God and that God’s wrath would pass over him. He yearned for his transgressions and iniquity to be covered.

Yes, life is hard.  Death is a reality.  But we have hope because of Christ’s life, death and resurrection! Redemption now, full redemption and restoration in eternity.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
(verse 2, Stuart Townend & Keith Getty)