Redemption Found • Job 19:19-29
By Beth S. Bowman
In 2017, Tauren Wells won a Grammy award for the song, Hills and Valleys. The chorus to the well-known Christian contemporary song states:
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
This popular song could have easily been written by Job. He had experienced what God had given him in the blessed times: health, children, and wealth. As we continue to look at Job, we see how his faith served him during the time period most prominent in today’s lesson — the times in the valley.
Two of Job’s friends had again given their advice to Job. The Scripture today comes inside Job’s reply to Bildad. In the first two verses, Job feels he has been rejected by his best friends and everyone that he loves has turned against him. Job did not see the friends’ remarks and comments as their rejection of God, but instead he feels that all of the comments are toward him.
Many people who serve feel the same way. When we are confronted by an angry or disrespectful church friend, we, too, feel as if our friends are rejecting us when in actuality they are rejecting God’s best plans. Job is discouraged and depressed. He wants to know why his friends do not have mercy on him. He doesn’t understand why and how they continue to persecute him. Would they never get enough?
In verse 23, we begin to see Job’s faith emerge once again. He is remembering his relationship with God and remembering the God of his salvation. Not only did he begin to express his faith, he wanted his words to be written down and remembered. Job says, “But I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the dust. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh (v. 25 CSB).”
Job remembered God is the Redeemer and the Author of life. Job verbalizes his faith, not just to reply to his friends but also to remind himself and all those around him. Job’s faith was personal, real, and genuine even when in despair and agony, even when he had lost it all and was in physical pain and agony.
The young David was pursued by King Saul, Moses dealt with complaining and spineless people, Deborah was surrounded by doubters and people who would not take action, Daniel was thrown into a lion pit, and Zechariah and Elizabeth dealt with years of infertility. These are only a few examples of Bible people who, like Job, faced almost insurmountable problems and yet chose to keep trusting in a faithful God.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have the best quote when facing harsh circumstances. Facing death in Daniel 3:16-18, they said, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (NIV).”
All of these Bible characters, regardless of circumstances, chose to place their faith, hope, and future with God. At the end of the day, that’s all we need to do, too.
Bowman, a member of West Carthage Church, is a speaker/writer. She may be contacted at beth@bethbowman.net.
