“I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”
Job 19:25 (NIV)
When Job lost his children, all his crops, his livestock and everything he owned in one day, his response was, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth.” Job lost everything he had that was visible, and yet his faith and hope was anchored in the One who was invisible. God is only one invisible anchor in the world.
Job’s story teaches us that there is a kind of knowing that transcends the intellect. Knowing that our Redeemer lives, doesn’t require a degree or a higher education. No one could persuade or convince us, because it’s a revelation of grace and an assurance that resides deep within us. Through Jesus, it is possible to know and say with the same fortitude and conviction of Job,
“I know that my Redeemer lives.”
All good things are not limited to what we can see with our eyes. There are many benefits, which are very real to us, which are not visible.
Peace is not something we can touch or see, but we can definitely know it and feel its effect. We may see it reflected in someone’s demeanor, or have a sense in the eye of our storm, that God is with us. The bible refers to a kind of peace that passes all understanding. That means when everything looks like we should have no peace, we still do have peace. It is an invisible benefit, from an invisible God, but is beyond any human understanding.
The same goes for faith, hope, love and joy, which are not tangible things that we can hold in our hands or see with our eyes, and yet we personally know the effects of them in our lives, because within us dwells our soul and spirit. The soul and spirit knows what our bodies cannot see or touch.
Another invisible benefit given to us is guardian angels, who constantly look out for our physical safety and guide us toward salvation. Although we don’t see angels, they are a benefit given to help us during our life journey.
We experience the benefits of these invisible gifts and many more, each day, which makes a huge difference in how we cope with situations that put our faith to the test. If we are depending only on what we can see, we will quickly become deceived and discouraged.
I remember a simple moment of truth that occurred about a year ago. I went to a neighborhood concert alone, during the Christmas season. Afterward, I was walking back to the public garage, and noticed that all the people walking to that same garage, were couples. For a brief moment I felt a little strange being the only single person, walking alone.
In my mind, I said to Jesus, “Lord, I know you’re with me, even though I can’t see you, and I also know that you’re all the man I need at this stage of my life, but in moments like these, I have to admit that it would be nice to have a man walking beside me.”
I felt Jesus answer someplace within my soul or spirit, as He said,
“I am walking beside you.”
I realized that my desire for someone to walk beside me at that moment, was more for appearances, rather than a desire for a relationship. It started me thinking about how those invisible blessings compare to the visible ones. Couples may visibly appear united, but in reality they might be very divided, since appearances can be deceiving. The things that are visible are not always what they appear to be.
Faith, hope, love, peace and joy, are the invisible benefits, that we can know, as we experience and illuminate their effects to others.
The more we learn of His invisible benefits, the more beautiful our invisible God becomes. May we always be able to say, by faith and not by sight, as Job said,
“I know that my Redeemer lives.”
Lord, help us stay aware of the many invisible benefits of our faith in you. Remind us that you are always walking beside us. Amen
