Wednesday 8 April 2026

Psalm 114

Background
Even in the midst of Easter joy, it is important that we remember there are still countless people suffering who do not feel joy or hope. Job speaks to these experiences. It is a book that seems to resist being placed within an historical context, as though its purpose is to be a general reflection on the nature of suffering. It also points to the fact that, for the Jewish people, belief in a life after death has been a developing idea. Job gives one of the earliest pointers to the concept of resurrection.

Today’s passage is part of what the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible entitles ‘Job’s despondent prayer.’ There is a brave honesty of Job to stare his suffering and mortality full in the face. He looks to nature to aid his reflections and finds mixed images. The tree that is cut down may well sprout new life with a drop of water (remember the Sycamore Gap tree?). However, there are lakes and rivers that dry up never to be replenished.

As Job looks at both these examples in nature he seems first to resign himself to be like the dried-up water courses. Human experience points to the mortality of humanity. He uses the images of lying down and sleeping with an eternal sleep to articulate the finality of death (v. 12).

Then, in an unexpected twist, and with seemingly no explanation, Job dares to dream of a different possibility. What if death wasn’t the end? What if Sheol wasn’t the land of eternal slumber, but rather a waiting and resting place, from which one day God would call the dead forth?

The word, ‘wait’ in verse 14 can also mean ‘hope’ as in verse 7 and the image of the tree. Equally, the word, ‘release’ in verse 14 comes from the same root as the word ‘sprout again.’ Job dares to imagine a future new life when he would be remembered by God and his sins would be removed from him.

If our reading had continued to the end of the chapter, we would see that Job’s hope is short lived, as he returns to viewing life in human terms. Even though his dream faded, that glimmer has remained through the generations and takes on new power in light of Christ’s resurrection.

To Ponder:

• What helps you sustain hope during difficult situations?
• How has reflecting on nature helped you reflect on faith?
• "He lives, and grants me daily breath; he lives, and I shall conquer death; he lives, my mansion to prepare; he lives, to lead me safely there." (Singing the Faith 303)

Prayer
God of eternal life, sustain hope within us of life that even conquers death. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Will Fletcher
Will Fletcher is a presbyter in the Central Sussex United Area. Alongside his church duties, Will is the Ecumenical Officer for the Sussex part of the South-East District. He is married to Helen and they have one son. When not working, Will makes up part of the bass section of Patcham Silver Band.