This morning, as we gathered on this Fourth of July weekend, we were reminded of the freedoms we enjoy, not only as citizens of this nation but, more importantly, as recipients of God’s grace. Our time together began with gratitude for the arms of Jesus—arms that are everlasting, strong enough to hold us through every season of life. We sang of the blessed assurance that comes from leaning on Him, and reflected on how, just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms, we too are called to lean on one another in times of need. This fellowship is a gift, and it points us back to Christ, whose sufficiency and sacrifice are the foundation of our hope.
We spent time in prayer, lifting up those in our community who are suffering, grieving, or in need of healing. We acknowledged the reality that life is filled with both mountaintop moments and valleys, and that God is present in all of them. The book of Job served as our guide, reminding us that repetition is often necessary for us to truly grasp the lessons God is teaching. Job’s story is one of enduring hardship, wrestling with questions of suffering, and seeking hope when circumstances seem hopeless.
Job’s cry—“Where then is my hope?”—echoes the longing of every heart that has faced loss or pain. Yet, even in his despair, Job clings to the conviction that “my Redeemer lives.” We explored how, as followers of Christ, we are called to be people of hope, always ready to give an answer for the hope within us, and to do so with gentleness and respect. The world is often harsh and quick to judge, but we are commanded to embody the fruit of the Spirit, especially gentleness, in our interactions with others.
Right living, or righteousness, is not about earning God’s favor but about responding to His grace. Job’s integrity was not transactional; he did what was right because it was right, not for the rewards it might bring. We are invited to pray bold prayers, asking God to reveal our own faults, and to be careful with our words—both to others and to ourselves—knowing that words can heal or destroy.
Ultimately, our hope is anchored not in our own goodness but in the finished work of Christ. Jesus is our Redeemer and Advocate, the one who pleads our case not by pointing to our righteousness, but by offering His own. As we celebrated communion, we remembered that our belonging to Jesus is not based on our efforts, but on His sacrifice. We are sent out as people of hope, love, gentleness, and respect, empowered by the Holy Spirit to point others to the living Redeemer.
Job 19:25-27 (ESV) — > For I know that my Redeemer lives,
> and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
> 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!
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) — > but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) — > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
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