As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth.

Job 19:25 (NET)

The book of Job is possibly the oldest book in the Bible. The overview is that it records the story of a good man who endures suffering after suffering, so not particularly ‘Christmassy” where the TV adverts promote the warm and fuzzy atmosphere and the season to be jolly! So why include this verse within our devotionals for 2020?

The phrase “why do bad things happen to good people” springs to mind. The book of Job looks at how Job responds to the challenges of life, especially the ones that are painful and feel unfair. 2020 is a year that has felt this way for so many and the book of Job helps us to recognise that while we do not always understand why things happen the way they do, God understands where we are at, what we are facing, what our worries are and that we can bring all of this to him, our Heavenly Father, in prayer.

Despite how unfair life was to Job, he held on to his belief and relationship with God. He had assurance that his Redeemer will endure forever. When we are in the midst of distractions and worries, let our focus at this time be on Jesus, the messiah, the saviour and our Redeemer. Let us pray for that same confidence that Job had, living his life knowing that his Redeemer was for him and can endure all things.

Written by David Cookson.