“FOR I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES, AND AT THE LAST HE WILL STAND UPON THE EARTH.”(Job 29:25).
“OUT OF THE WRECK I RISE!” This quote is from a poem by Robert Browning called ‘Ixion.’ Although I didn’t read the entire poem, I found the basic meaning intriguing. Browning imagines Ixion, the title character, rising out of hell after gaining insight into his wrongdoings. This made me think of the Apostle Paul. He would not have risen if it weren’t for his encounter with Christ—a remarkable transformation. Despite his struggles, including shipwrecks, Paul kept his eyes on things above. He could confidently say, “OUT OF THE WRECK, I RISE.”
My heart goes out to those who are in turmoil. God’s loved ones are struggling through life. It doesn’t matter the struggle; suffering is real. I thought, “So is Jesus”. I thought of Job, a man not without sin but blameless. He would rise early in the morning and offer sacrifices on behalf of his children if they sinned against the LORD (Job 1). Job is a book I never really enjoyed until now. I still find it somewhat difficult. Perhaps I find it a little complex because I don’t like arguments, like the poem Ixion. But through the wonderful teachings in HeartStrong and Holy Spirit’s guidance, my understanding has grown. I keep being stirred by the reminder that the story of Job doesn’t answer the question of why good people suffer, but it does teach us the goodness and sovereignty of our God.
Many know Jesus as their Lord, but others have not received Him yet. My heart is heavy for those who live believing that “this is all there is.” They don’t understand that they, too, can rise from their wreckage of turmoil here on earth and find the peace that passes understanding even through the worst of their days (Philippians 4:6-7). Suffering is so difficult for us all, but with Jesus, we know there is hope. It’s hard to watch anyone suffer; it’s heartbreaking knowing those suffering with blind spiritual eyes. Their focus tends to be on their circumstance and not on things above. In their suffering, they have many “woe is me” moments that can bring them down into deep darkness. I pray Holy Spirit meets them on their road, renews their minds, softens their hearts, and enlightens them to the things above. I pray they come to the knowledge of Christ and the greatness of our God and witness what God has done in their lives. They can say, “OUT OF THE WRECK I RISE.”
I was recently introduced to someone who is going through a season of cancer. I knew of his trouble through a LifeCentre sister, and Holy Spirit prompted her to open the door of her home so we could meet. His cancer, like mine, is infesting his throat, but he has been told it is curable. Praise the LORD! However, the road to recovery can feel so long. He knew I was praying for him and his wife, and he wanted to discuss the similarities in our treatments, particularly my side effects and how I handled the struggles. As we spoke, his love for Jesus flowed ever so beautifully. A man who loves God intimately. His struggle is real, and early in his days of treatment, intense pain sets in. When his wife informed me of this, my first question was, “Why, Lord, why pain?”. There’s that “why” question.
A godly man is suffering, but his wife reassured me that he was not losing faith, although the pain made him weary and tired. I’m grateful for her strong support during this journey, and I pray they lean closely into the Lord, leaving no room for the enemy to enter their loving relationship. I’m thankful his wife is not like Job’s wife, who said, “Curse God and die.” Instead, she walks alongside him, encouraging him and seeking prayer for his needs. I’m looking forward to the day he proclaims, “OUT OF THE WRECK I RISE.”
Giving in to anxiety, unease, and despair can cause a multitude of problems. These feelings can creep into our lives unexpectedly, often without explanation. They could stem from negative thoughts, the influence of the enemy, or simply too much of the world intruding upon us. Worrying is as real as any physical problem, and it can happen to believers and non-believers. But if we don’t know God’s Word, promises, and truth, we can be led down a dark path of destruction. I’ve been down that road, and I’m so grateful that someone was praying that Holy Spirit would meet me right where I was. And He did, in a jail cell. Now, I can say, “OUT OF THE WRECK I RISE.”
Reflecting on Job’s turmoil fills my heart with joy, for the LORD loves us so much. He shows us, even in the depths of our trials and struggles, that He still reigns, that He is sovereign, that He is great, and above ALL, and He reminds us that His love never fails. While Job’s friends tried to help, there is truly no greater help than God Himself. Out of the wreck, Job would rise. I love the intimacy he shared with God when he declared, “For I know MY Redeemer lives” (19:25). He said MY Redeemer; he knew who God was. And Job spoke this prophetic statement, “and at the last He will stand upon the earth.”
Because of Your great love, Your wonderful grace and mercy, LORD, we now rise out of the wreckage of our lives and proclaim with grateful hearts, Our Redeemer lives. We wait patiently for the day He will once again stand upon the earth. All for Your glory… Amen
