Week 22, Well, shut my mouth!

May 31.  We have finished reading the book of Job this week.

I found chapter 28 interesting as it described mining.  I imagine that in ancient times, people would discover an underground vein of gold or precious stones and minerals from tracing a stream into an underground cavern.  (verse 10)  And the analogy is: wisdom is like that, you can find it, but you don't create it.  It is there for the discovering because it already exists in God.  And it is precious.

I found chapter 29 to be depressing.  It seems to describe a dying person who is struggling with depression.  Chapter 30 describes the pain and utter sadness of dying.   "And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.  Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest. ...I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me." (v. 16, 17, 20)
One thing is for sure, all humans suffer at some time or another and if we can remember to see people that way, it changes everything.

Then, we finally came to Chapter 38 when the Lord speaks.  Everything changes.  

Job's response is "well, shut my mouth" (my translation)  There is nothing more to say.  God is God.  who are we to argue with Him or even to try to figure out what He is doing?  All we can do is say "OK, yes."

So what can we take from Job: God is sovereign over the Earth and no matter what happens to us in this life, we know that our Redeemer lives.  I have had that on my mind all week.  There are several versions under the title " I know that my Redeemer lives" 

Here are the words to the hymn by Samuel Medly.  It is still as true today as it was when written in the 1700's, and as it was centuries before Christ was born, when Job declared it:  

"I Know that My Redeemer Lives"
by Samuel Medley, 1738-1799

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Now we get to move into the Psalms.  YEAH!  
Till next week, keep  reading.......