Embracing God's Presence in Suffering and Joy

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.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Power of Presence Over Answers When others are suffering, our instinct is often to explain or fix, but true comfort comes from simply being present. Words, even if true, can wound when spoken at the wrong time or in the wrong way. Wisdom is knowing when to speak and when to sit in silence, allowing God’s presence to minister through us. [53:06]
• 2. Guard Against Assigning Motives It is easy, especially in pain, to assume we know why others act as they do or to judge their hearts. Assigning motives can lead to bitterness and misunderstanding, both in our own suffering and when walking with others. Instead, humility and grace call us to refrain from judgment and to seek understanding, recognizing that only God truly knows the heart. [58:29]
• 3. God Cannot Be Reduced to a Single Trait Elihu’s focus on God’s justice is a cautionary example: when we define God by one attribute, we distort His character. God is just, loving, gracious, powerful, and more—holding all these together is essential for a true understanding of Him. Embracing the mystery of God’s fullness allows us to trust Him even when life doesn’t make sense. [61:23]
• 4. Our Lives Are a Gift, Not an Entitlement Life itself is a gracious gift from God, not something we are owed. Recognizing that our breath and days are on loan from Him fosters humility and gratitude. This perspective frees us from taking ourselves too seriously and helps us steward our lives for God’s purposes rather than our own. [65:56]
• 5. God Is Both Inscrutable and Near God’s ways are beyond our scrutiny; He is not accountable to us, and we cannot demand explanations for all we endure. Yet, He is not distant—through Christ and the Holy Spirit, He is intimately present with us in our pain. Our hope is not in understanding everything, but in knowing that the God who is beyond us is also with us, walking every step of the journey. [81:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:05] - Rejoicing in Today and Announcements
• [14:32] - Introduction to Baptism and Logan’s Story
• [15:27] - Logan’s Testimony and Baptism
• [17:59] - The Call to Obedience in Baptism
• [19:05] - Praying for the Next Generation
• [19:50] - Worship and the Fire of the Spirit
• [30:13] - Celebrating God’s Work and Community Updates
• [31:32] - Prayer Requests and Community Needs
• [36:33] - Navigating Life’s Interruptions
• [46:17] - Reflections on Job and Suffering
• [49:10] - The Danger of Assigning Motives
• [53:06] - Responding to Pain with Wisdom
• [56:05] - Elihu’s Words and Human Nature
• [58:29] - The Limits of Human Understanding
• [61:23] - God’s Character: Beyond a Single Trait
• [65:56] - Life as a Gift from God
• [71:27] - God’s Sovereignty and Our Role
• [75:07] - God’s Bigness and Our Perspective
• [81:21] - God’s Nearness in Our Pain
• [85:04] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
• [90:06] - Living as Stewards of Grace
• [91:19] - Dismissal and Fellowship Invitation

Bible Reading

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.

Observation Questions

1. In Job 32–37, what are some of the main points Elihu makes about God’s character and Job’s response to suffering?
2. According to Matthew 28:18–20, what are the steps Jesus commands his followers to take after believing in him?
3. The sermon mentioned that “today is the day the Lord has made.” How does this idea show up in Psalm 118:24 and in the way the church celebrated baptism? [[10:05]]
4. What does the sermon say about the difference between being present with someone in pain and trying to give them answers? [[53:06]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Elihu focus so much on God’s justice, and what does the sermon say about the danger of reducing God to just one trait? [[01:01:23]]
2. The sermon warns against assigning motives to others, especially when they are suffering. Why is this so harmful, and how does it relate to what Elihu does with Job? [[58:29]]
3. The pastor said, “God is not accountable to us. He is inscrutable.” What does this mean for how we approach God in our questions and prayers? [[01:06:53]]
4. The sermon described baptism as a step of obedience and a public declaration of faith. Why is it important that baptism is more than just a ritual? [[17:59]]

Application Questions

1. Think of a time when you tried to comfort someone who was suffering. Did you feel the need to give answers or explanations? How might you approach it differently now, focusing on presence over answers? [[53:06]]
2. The sermon cautioned against assigning motives to others, especially in times of pain. Is there someone in your life whose motives you have judged recently? How could you show more humility and grace toward them this week? [[58:29]]
3. When you think about God, do you tend to focus on one trait (like love, justice, or power) more than others? How might embracing the mystery and fullness of God change your trust in Him during hard times? [[01:01:23]]
4. The pastor said, “Our lives are a gift, not an entitlement.” What is one practical way you can show gratitude for your life this week, especially if you’re facing challenges? [[01:05:56]]
5. The sermon reminded us that God is both beyond our understanding and also very near to us. When have you felt God’s nearness in a difficult season? How can you remind yourself (or someone else) of God’s presence this week? [[01:21:21]]
6. Baptism was described as a step of obedience and a public declaration. If you have been baptized, how does your baptism shape the way you live out your faith today? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? [[17:59]]
7. The pastor said, “Let us live as stewards of the life God has given, sharing His grace and hope with those around us.” Who is one person you can intentionally encourage or walk alongside this week, especially if they are struggling? [[01:30:06]]