On this Sunday, we reached into the heart of the book as we saw Job's struggles and his hope, perhaps in the most poignant way yet, rammed together in the crucible of suffering. Chapter 19 is one of the most recognizable parts of Job, with several "cross-stitch" verses found at the end of his speech. Unfortunately, the verses at the close of this chapter, when taken out of the context of Job's wrestling, lose some of their impact and even their meaning. Job's raw honesty is not the view from the top of the mountain but the up-close vantage point of one who is deep in the valley, where he still worships God, despite what seems to be overwhelming evidence that God has turned on Job and treated him like an enemy and not a friend. There is perhaps nothing sweeter, richer, and more painfully beautiful than songs of praise from the lips of those in the pit of hardship, voices lifted heavenward, seeing the face of God through eyes filled with tears. May we be those who worship God regardless of our circumstances, praising him through our pain as we sing to him even as we suffer.

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