Devotion 1.21.21

1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
what comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everliving Head.

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

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives," Samuel Medley

The source scripture for this hymn, according to a search on the internet, is Job 19. Job's comments are in the midst of pain dealing with loss, suffering, and the need to heal, physically and emotionally.  He bemoans the lack of family and friend supports and is seeking God to come to him and assure him.  The surrounding verses in this passage challenge all of David's laments in psalms.  You now the kind - the enemy surrounds me, hear my plea, and deliver me from the hands of my tormentors kinds of pleas David states in several psalms.

Yet, in spite of suffering, Job has clarity and knows that his Redeemer will deliver him.

What about us? Sometimes we believe things are at their worst. "Times like these" as Foo Fighters say in the song by the same name.  

Our hymns in the church are beautiful and have been inspired by the Spirit to men and women based on life experiences and scripture.  Our hymns are there, like scripture, to provide comfort, hope, prayer and praise to God.  They are there to help us in time of need as well as to lift our voices in worship and praise of our Lord.

Job knew his Redeemer lives.  Medley knew his Redeemer lives.  We turn to our Redeemer, who lives, to deliver us in time of need, to provide, to give us strength, hope, and to help us forgive and love based on the grace He gives. We praise our Redeemer and Him alone and seek that refuge and strength in Him and Him alone.