When present reality overwhelms future hope

For one brief moment Job had the answer to all his questions and frustrations, but it quickly evaporates from his thoughts. He mentions, almost in passing, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. “Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God. (Job 19:25-26) That is the answer to the age old question, “Why do the wicked prosper?” (Job 21:7). Contrary to Job’s counselor’s platitudes the wicked do prosper. Contrary to Job’s exaggerations the wicked also suffer the same calamities, diseases and setbacks as everyone else. The solution to the frustration is to realize that life is not about this brief vapor of seventy years. It’s about our eternal relationship with the Redeemer who is coming to judge, punish and reward. The best thing we can do is keep entrusting ourselves to a faithful creator in doing what is right (1Pe 4:19) and trust that the Judge of all the earth will deal justly (Gen 18:25) Jesus did just that (1Pe 2:23).