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It didn’t happen often, but it did happen. A few times in late elementary school and early junior high school I got in trouble with the teacher. I actually don’t remember what I did. (Actually, I do in a couple cases, but it isn’t relevant to my point.) I do remember the punishment. In one instance, I had to go to the chalkboard and write 100 times that I would not…. A few other times, I had that assignment but had to write on notebook paper and do it neatly, which was another level of pain! I can’t remember if I had to write the sentence 50 times, 100 times, or more. It seemed like it took forever.

Generally, the discipline worked. I was not a repeat offender as the years went by. As I remembered the lessons my teachers were trying to teach me, it made me wonder if we might want to write repeatedly or declare out loud to ourselves and others some of the important lessons of scripture. It makes me think that when God directed the prophets, Moses, the apostles, and other writers of scripture, that maybe the very exercise of writing was a way God would not only help future generations but also the writers themselves. As one who writes daily, I can assure you that this discipline regularly reminds me of things I need to remember.

In verses 23 through 27 of Job 19, there is a powerful lesson. Right as Job hits the bottom of his despair, he said, “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!” Job knew he needed to be reminded of a powerful truth.

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”

Job’s declaration is as critically important for us as it was for him. When all is said and done. When we come to the end of our lives. When Jesus returns in glory to finish his final restoration of all things. Jesus will stand upon the earth.

It may seem awfully dark some days. All hell may seem to have broken loose, but Job reminds us of the end game. King Jesus will stand upon his fully renewed and restored earth for all to see. He is victorious over every challenge and obstacle we will ever face.

Job continues his self-talk that helps us as well: “And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”

The essence of Job’s words is this: whatever you are facing today is not the end. Whatever the obstacles, whatever the health crisis, whatever the financial mess, however damaged the relationship, however high the mountain to climb, whatever we face currently, is not the end of our story. Because of Jesus, we will one day also stand on the new heaven and earth and see Jesus with our very own eyes. We might even be standing right beside Job when Jesus appears to us!

I think I might need to get out a pen and paper, or maybe I will just type it out here. It is my self-imposed assignment. You can inspect my work or do your own. Either might be helpful.

Today’s problem is not the end of my story.

Today’s problem is not the end of my story.

Today’s problem is not the end of my story.

Say it with me: Today’s problem is not the end of my story.

How do we know? Job tells us what the Holy Spirit revealed to him. All of scripture testifies to the same message: For I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth… we will behold him!

In Revelation 22, Jesus tells us exactly the same thing:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Our redeemer is the beginning of all things and also the end of all things. John records that right after Jesus said this, he gave us a remarkable invitation:

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (v. 17)

Father, today we acknowledge our tendency to look at our current situation and think that there is no getting over or around our problems. Thank you for sending Jesus so that we could get through our problems with his grace and mercy, and with confidence declare that our story does not end today. We accept your invitation to come to you today, and we long for the day we hear you in heaven as you invite us once again to come and behold you and all that you have provided for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.