April 21

Morning

But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. — Job 19:25 BSB

The heart of Job’s comfort is found in that small word, "My"—"My Redeemer"—and in the fact that the Redeemer is alive. Oh, how important it is to lay hold of a living Christ! We must have a personal connection to Him before we can truly enjoy Him. What use is gold still in the mine to me? People beg for bread in places filled with riches like Peru and California. It’s the gold in my purse that can meet my needs by purchasing the bread I require. Likewise, what good is a Redeemer who doesn’t redeem me? Don’t be satisfied until, by faith, you can say, "Yes, I cast myself upon my living Lord, and He is mine." Even if you hold Him with a weak grip and think it’s too bold to claim, "He lives as my Redeemer," remember that if you have even the smallest grain of faith, it entitles you to say it.

There’s another word here that expresses Job’s strong confidence—"I know." To say, "I hope so," brings some comfort, and many in Jesus’ fold never get beyond that. But to truly experience the depths of peace and consolation, you must be able to say, "I know." Doubts—those "ifs," "buts," and "perhapses"—are the enemies of comfort and peace. They sting the soul like wasps in times of sorrow. If I have any doubt that Christ is mine, it makes the bitterness of death even worse. But if I know that Jesus lives for me, then even the darkest times aren’t truly dark—night becomes light around me.

If Job, who lived before the coming of Christ, could say, "I know," how much more confidently should we speak! May our assurance never cross into presumption. Let’s ensure that our foundation is solid and our hope is secure, and then let’s not settle for just the foundation. From the higher rooms, we get the best views. A living Redeemer, truly mine, is a joy beyond words!

Evening

Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. — Rom 8:34 BSB

The one who was once despised and rejected by men now sits in the honored position of the beloved Son of God. The right hand of God is the place of majesty and favor. Our Lord Jesus stands as the representative of His people. When He died for them, they found rest. When He rose again, they found freedom. And when He sat down at His Father’s right hand, they found favor, honor, and dignity. Christ’s exaltation is also the exaltation, acceptance, and glorification of all His people because He is their Head and Representative. His seat at the right hand of God shows that He, as our Substitute, is accepted—and with Him, we are accepted too. Oh, saint, take comfort in this: your freedom from condemnation is sure. "Who is the one who condemns?" Who could possibly condemn those who are united with Jesus, seated at the right hand of God?

The right hand of God is also the place of power. Christ, seated there, holds all power in heaven and on earth. Who could successfully fight against the people whose Captain holds all authority? Oh, my soul, what could possibly destroy you when Omnipotence is your helper? If the Almighty is your shield, what weapon could strike you down? Rest assured. If Jesus is your all-powerful King, if He has crushed your enemies beneath His feet—if sin, death, and hell have been vanquished by Him—and if you are represented in Him, then nothing can destroy you.