Job 35-37 I can see clearly now the rain has gone

June 11th, Job 35-37

       We've lived in an extraordinary amount of fog here this spring. In Duluth MN the cold water of Lake Superior stays at a pretty consistent 30-something. The dome of cold air that sits over the lake is a powerful force in determining weather. The spring time offers a warm up over the earth. Heat comes from the west, cold comes from the east, the air mass meets and fog is the result(better than tornadoes!!). Fog nonetheless, a lack of clarity, cool temps and mist. It's fine for awhile, but it does get old soon...I just want summer.
       It reminds me of the book of Job so far. The heat of life, combined with the cold advice of friends has really cast a lot of fog on this story. Today I've noted that the burden seemed to be lifted, like the fog here in Duluth it was lifted by the sun.
       In Chapter 36 Elihu just started speaking about God. And though the hints of accusation still resonate in a few verses, it really seems like clarity is bursting forth like the sun to dry up the lingering water droplets. God is mighty, to be  exalted. God delivers and opens hearts, he pulls us out of distress, etc, etc, etc.... It's a passage that seeks to help through proclamation of the greatness of God. So much different than the blaming of mankind (which was wrong) that permeated everything in the first part of this story.
       The degree to which we can help each other walk through the difficulty of life is rooted in how well we know God. How well we can sing his praise and speak about his wonder. Thinking and rethinking our pain has some use as mourners think about such things as an act of mourning. But at some time God is great and greatly to be praised.
       Job 37:5 "God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend!!"