From the Pastor’s Pen-

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How time has flown by in 2025 and all of us have had our ups and downs, good times and not so good. But through it all we can declare that our God is faithful and has always been with us every step of the way.

In the Bible, there was a man called Job who lost everything, his children, his wealth and his health. His wife told him to curse God and die. Job's friends said that his suffering must be punishment for his own sins. They argued that God is a righteous and fair God who only punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous, and since Job was suffering, he must be wicked. They repeatedly told Job to repent so that God would restore his blessings. They also accused Job of hypocrisy when he maintained his innocence, even accusing him of abandoning God. But what did Job do?

First

Job tore his robe, shaved his head as a sign of grief, and fell to the ground in worship, saying, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised". In the midst of his suffering he worshipped God. A lesson for us all to learn as it is not just during the good times we worship God but in every difficult circumstance and situation.

Second

He refused to listen to his wife and curse God. He wasn’t going to sin and blame God even though he was going through intense suffering.

Third

As his suffering continued, Job did begin to question God insisting on his own righteousness and demanding to know why God had turned against him. God responded by asking Job questions about creation and proving to him that God’s power is unlimited and that He has all wisdom. As a result of God’s response, Job confesses his pride and acknowledges he spoke of things he did not understand. He moves away from questioning why his suffering happened, to trusting God even without a full explanation. 

Job’s emotional responses show him as a fully human being but his trust and faith in God stretches us to believe for a higher level of faith and a deeper trust in God, no matter what we maybe facing.

Lastly

Job prays for his three friends who had offered him poor counsel throughout his suffering and  God restored Job's health and wealth, giving him twice as much as he had before, and granted him a long life. 

Let us learn from Job that as we praise and worship God, refuse to blame God for our suffering and pray for those who tell us to do the opposite we will see restoration, spiritually, physically and materially. As Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

The Lord bless you all as you celebrate Christmas in a few weeks time and as you prepare for 2026 which I believe is going to be a year of overflow!

Pastor Sandra