Today is a day to rejoice, for God has made it, and we are invited to live fully in the present, trusting in His goodness regardless of our circumstances. We celebrated the baptism of Logan, a young man who chose to publicly declare his faith and obedience to Jesus. Baptism is not just a ritual, but a step of obedience, a visible sign of an inward commitment to follow Christ. It’s a reminder that God is still at work, calling new generations to Himself, and that our young people are not just the church of tomorrow, but the church of today.
As we continued our journey through the book of Job, we focused on the voice of Elihu in chapters 32-37. Job’s story is a profound exploration of suffering, faith, and the mystery of God. Elihu’s words remind us that while we may not always understand the reasons for our pain, we always have a choice in how we respond. Sometimes, in our eagerness to help or explain, we can unintentionally add to someone’s pain. Wisdom calls us to be careful with our words, especially when emotions are high. It’s not just what we say, but how and when we say it that matters.
Elihu’s perspective also warns us against reducing God to a single trait, such as justice or love. God is infinitely more complex—He is just, loving, gracious, powerful, and so much more. Trying to fit Him into a box of our own making will only lead to disappointment and misunderstanding. God is inscrutable; He is not accountable to us, and His ways are beyond our full comprehension. Yet, in His greatness, He is also near. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, God is present with us in our suffering, not distant or indifferent.
We are reminded that our lives are a gift, on loan from God, and that He desires us to walk with Him—not because He needs us, but because He loves us. In times of pain, our calling is not to have all the answers or to offer quick fixes, but to be present, to walk alongside others, and to trust that God is at work, even when we cannot see it. Let us live as stewards of the life God has given, sharing His grace and hope with those around us, and trusting that He will always act at the right time, in the right way.
Job 32–37** (Elihu’s speeches to Job)<br>- **Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) — > And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Psalm 118:24 (ESV)
> This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
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