Is God really in charge of all things, or do my choices matter? Or is it 50/50 my choices and God's choices? 60/40? 80/20? The book of Proverbs addresses the subject of wisdom: the ability to make wise choices. You’ve joined us as we enter a 15 weeks series on books of the Old Testament called “Poetical” or sometimes, “Wisdom” books. May the Spirit use these words he inspired to guide you in your decisions.

“Real isn't how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” “Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit. “Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.” “Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?” “It doesn't happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”  ―Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit

That's more than just a poignant and sweet children's story. It's what God is doing in you when you suffer. We’re in a study of the poetical books of the Old Testament. This week: Job. May the Spirit use Job's words to give you resources for when you are suffering.

Many parts of the Bible, including some entire books, were written in poetic style. Over the next few months, we have the privilege of studying God’s wisdom through selected portions of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Today we focus on the wisdom of Psalm 119: constant pursuit of life in the light of God’s Word because of a deep love for it.

What would you write at the end of a letter to loved ones? This weekend we come to the end of Paul's second letter to the little church in Thessaloniki. His final subject might surprise you, but it’s a subject he’s written about before. Whatever the topic of Paul’s letters, he ends with words that are so very good to hear: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Can’t top that.