Morning, April 21
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Job 19:25
"I know that my Redeemer liveth."
Job 19:25
The marrow of Job's comfort lies in that little word "My"--"My
Redeemer," and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh! to get hold of
a living Christ. We must get a property in him before we can enjoy him.
What is gold in the mine to me? Men are beggars in Peru, and beg their
bread in California. It is gold in my purse which will satisfy my
necessities, by purchasing the bread I need. So a Redeemer who does not
redeem me, an avenger who will never stand up for my blood, of what
avail were such? Rest not content until by faith you can say "Yes, I
cast myself upon my living Lord; and he is mine." It may be you hold
him with a feeble hand; you half think it presumption to say, "He lives
as my Redeemer;" yet, remember if you have but faith as a grain of
mustard seed, that little faith entitles you to say it. But there is
also another word here, expressive of Job's strong confidence, "I
know." To say, "I hope so, I trust so" is comfortable; and there are
thousands in the fold of Jesus who hardly ever get much further. But to
reach the essence of consolation you must say, "I know." Ifs, buts, and
perhapses, are sure murderers of peace and comfort. Doubts are dreary
things in times of sorrow. Like wasps they sting the soul! If I have
any suspicion that Christ is not mine, then there is vinegar mingled
with the gall of death; but if I know that Jesus lives for me, then
darkness is not dark: even the night is light about me. Surely if Job,
in those ages before the coming and advent of Christ, could say, "I
know," we should not speak less positively. God forbid that our
positiveness should be presumption. Let us see that our evidences are
right, lest we build upon an ungrounded hope; and then let us not be
satisfied with the mere foundation, for it is from the upper rooms that
we get the widest prospect. A living Redeemer, truly mine, is joy
unspeakable.