Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth:… 1. Afflictions do not dissolve the endeared relation between the Redeemer and the redeemed. 2. Jesus Christ, as He is the only Redeemer of fallen man, has been all along so, even from the beginning. 3. A believer may attain a comfortable evidence of a special relation to Christ and interest in Him. 4. A believer knowing his Redeemer liveth, hath therein a spring of abundant consolation, whatever affliction he here labours under, or is liable to. I. HOW THE TITLE REDEEMER BELONGS TO CHRIST. He is fitly called a Redeemer upon a threefold account. In regard to the bondage state He finds us in. His relation to us. And what, in that relation, He does for us. As our kinsman, He redeems us by paying the price of our redemption; and by rescuing us from the tyranny of Satan. II. BELIEVERS WILL AND OUGHT TO BETAKE THEMSELVES TO CHRIST, THE LIVING REDEEMER, FOR RELIEF AND COMFORT UNDER ALL THEIR TROUBLES. 1. As fallen creatures, there is no coming unto the Father but through a Mediator. 2. Christ is the only Mediator between God and man. 3. He is provided and exalted of God to this very end, that the weary and heavy-laden, under whatever burden, might apply to Him for ease and rest. 4. To them that believe He is precious, from the experience they have had of His power and grace. III. IT IS OF POWERFUL USE TO THE CONSOLATION OF BELIEVERS, IN LOOKING TO THEIR PROVIDED REDEEMER, TO KNOW THAT HE LIVETH, AND THAT HE IS THEIRS. That He liveth may be said of Him as God, and as Immanuel, God-man. As Divine, and as risen. The resurrection speaks the value and efficacy of His death and sacrifice. His living again confirms the truth of His doctrine and promises. 3. It is no small addition to a Christian's comfort that Christ lives in heaven. And Christ also is theirs; in gracious, helpful, personal relations with them. IV. HOW BELIEVERS MAY FETCH SUITABLE SUPPORT FROM HENCE, UNDER THE TRIALS WHEREWITH THEY MAY BE MOST SORELY PRESSED. 1. What they feel upon a public account; their tender sense of the Church's troubles, and concern for their brethren in the same household of faith, by reason of the hard things they suffer, and the deep distress they are sometimes brought into. He liveth, and has the turning of all the great wheels of providence. 2. As to public calamities that may happen in our day, or reach the place where our lot is cast. Christ's voice to all is, "Be not terrified." 3. In poverty and want, ,pinching necessities and straits, we may look up with comfort while able to say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." 4. As to losses in substance, or near and dear relations, bodily pains, the injuries and reproaches of enemies, and hard censures of friends, with whatever the Christian may undergo from heaven, he hath enough to feed his comfort in being able to say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." 5. As deprived of the sense of God's favour. 6. As to the temptations of Satan, the wiles and assaults of the power of darkness. 7. Under the afflictive sense of sin, as to guilt and corruption. 8. As in solitude about finding the way to heaven by reason of error and delusion. 9. Under persecution of suffering for the sake of Christ, and devotedness to Him. 10. The Redeemer's living is the believer's security against the dread and danger of apostasy. 11. As afflicted with the death of the righteous, private Christians or ministers. 12. That the Redeemer liveth may keep up the believer's joy when he comes to die. Application — (1) Let your faith be well grounded and firm in this great truth, that there is a Redeemer living. (2) How much is everyonr concerned to look after an interest in a living Redeemer. (3) In order to this, let every heart open to a living Redeemer. (4) Having a living Redeemer, follow His example, and tread in His steps. (5) Long to be with your living Redeemer. (D. Wilcox.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:WEB: But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth. |