ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 SAPATE SUNE 7, 2026

SIOPE 40-42; FAKAHA 22:6-21 

The story of God's grace is about new beginnings. In fact, what seems like the end of the story is actually a new beginning that lasts forever.

Ko e talanoa ‘o e kelesi ‘a e ‘Otua, ko e tala ‘o e kamata fo’ou. ‘Io, ko e me’a ‘oku ha ngali ko e faka’osi ia ‘o e talanoaa, ta ko ee ko e kamata fo’ou ia ‘e tu’u loa ‘o ta’engata. 

As you walk through God's great redemptive story, you see that it is a story of fresh starts and new beginnings. The sin of Adam and Eve seems like the end of a very short story, but God promises that a fresh start is coming. The global flood seems like the end of the earth, but God makes a covenant with Noah, and God's plan marches on. The enslavement of the children of Israel in Egypt seems like the end of the people of God, but God exercises his power to give them freedom and a land of promise. David's sins of adultery and murder seem like the end of David's line, from which the Messiah was to come, but God forgives and restores his king. The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, along with the captivity of Judah, seem like the end of God's people once again, but God leads a remnant back, restores his people, and rebuilds the temple. The crucifixion of Jesus seems like the final end of all hope, but then comes the resurrection, Christ's ascension, and the growth of his church. This fallen world will someday be burned up, but it will not be the end, because the new heavens and earth will rise and peace and righteousness will reign forever. This is what powerful redeeming grace does. It cannot and will not be defeated. God's grace will have its way. God's grace will win. You are wise to build your life, hope, and dreams on the sure foundation of God's amazing grace.

So it is with the story of Job. He loses so much, including his own health. It is clear that he and his friends don't fully understand what is going on. As you read Job's sad story, you realize that he is not going to dig himself out of his mess and regain all that he has lost. But this is what is so important to remember: Job's future is not in his hands. It is in the hands of his Lord, and his Lord is the definition of wisdom, power, love, and grace. Why does Job have a future? Because God exists and he is gloriously good. Why is there any hope for this poor suffering man? Because God's grace is restorative grace.

So the story of Job doesn't end with suffering. It ends with God's restoring to Job more than he lost: "And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). 

How lavishly generous is God's grace. Job lives to see four generations of his family bloom and grow.

What seemed like the end for Job was not the end, because God had a plan for him. Your struggles today are not the end either. Your Lord has a plan for you. His grace guarantees a future for you. Rest in his grace, trust, and obey. His plan marches on.