The Suffering of a Godly Man (Job 3)

/ Belgrade United Reformed Church/

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off.

In Job 3, we see Job’s raw and unfiltered anguish. After losing everything—his wealth, his children, and his health—he breaks his silence and curses the day of his birth.

This chapter shows us the depths of human suffering and the honesty of biblical faith. Job doesn’t sugarcoat his pain or pretend to be fine. Instead, he expresses the full weight of his despair, wishing he had never been born and lamenting the darkness that has engulfed his life.

God allows honest lament—Job’s words are deeply emotional and even shocking, yet God doesn’t rebuke him for pouring out his heart. This shows that God welcomes our questions and grief, even when they are raw and messy.

Despair arises when suffering feels meaningless—Job’s cry is rooted in the feeling that his life has lost all purpose. He doesn’t yet see the bigger picture, but his pain foreshadows the human cry for meaning in suffering, ultimately answered in Christ.

Job suffers, but he still prays—Though Job curses the day of his birth, he never curses God. His lament is directed to God, showing that even in his darkest hour, Job clings to the reality of God’s presence.

We are encouraged to be honest about our pain while trusting that God can handle our darkest cries—and that He works even through suffering to bring ultimate redemption.

The Parable of the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

/ Belgrade United Reformed Church/

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off.

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

This parable challenges our sense of fairness and exposes the radical nature of God’s grace. A vineyard owner hires workers at different times throughout the day, yet pays them all the same wage. Those hired first grumble, feeling cheated, but the owner reminds them that he gave them exactly what he promised.

God’s grace is unearned and generous—It’s not based on merit or how long we’ve worked. Those who arrive late (like the thief on the cross) receive the same reward as lifelong believers because salvation is a gift, not a paycheck.

Our pride blinds us to grace—The first workers represent those who feel entitled to more because of their perceived efforts. Their complaint shows a heart that values comparison and fairness over gratitude.

Ultimately, this parable flips human values upside down. It invites us to rejoice in the generosity of God, rather than resent it, because none of us deserves his grace in the first place.