I Know My Redeemer Lives!

Note: I’ve had such a terrible time formatting this that I’ve had to edit it numerous times. Mmm, I wonder why?

Lost in the desert of discontent

Reeling from drought and despair

Looking for help from heaven above

Finding it just isn’t there

*

Tearing at wounds that fester and stink

Digging down deep in my flesh

Crying in anger and shaking a fist

Needing some love and some rest

*

Assaulted with arrows of fiery might 

Those words that cut to the bone

The wisdom from friends (and loved one alike)

By presumptuous, assumptions, I’m doomed!

*

But I have one friend who’ll stand in the gap

One who is e’er by my side

He’ll carry me through this terrible blight

And bring me to light and to life!

He’ll carry me through

this terrible blight

And bring me

to Light and to Life!

*** 

The bible’s book of Job is one of my favorite books and chapter 19 is my favorite chapter. If you haven’t read it you are missing out on a great read. Anyhoo, here is chapter 19, where Job finally loses it on his friends who have been trying to get him to confess what he did wrong to deserve the suffering he’s obviously brought on himself.:

 

Job 19 >> New International Version 1984   Job Then Job replied: “How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me. If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone. If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my humiliation against me, then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me. “Though I cry, ‘I’ve been wronged!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness. He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. He tears me down on every side till I am gone; he uproots my hope like a tree. His anger burns against me; he counts me among his enemies. His troops advance in force; they build a siege ramp against me and encamp around my tent. “He has alienated my brothers from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My kinsmen have gone away; my friends have forgotten me. My guests and my maidservants count me a stranger; they look upon me as an alien. I summon my servant, but he does not answer, though I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own brothers. Even the little boys scorn me; when I appear, they ridicule me. All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me. I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.a “Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh? “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool onb lead, or engraved in rock forever! I know that my Redeemerc lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.d And after my skin has been destroyed, yete inf my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!