2008-08-08 10:13:00
"Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?" (Lamentations 5:20).
This morning I was listening to our local news on the radio and heard a report concerning a highway fatality in our area near Gettysburg. It was a young family from Oklahoma traveling through Pennsylvania, presumably on vacation. The 37 year old mother was killed and two of her daughters were injured. The news report said it appears she was trying to avoid a deer, something I've done many times. I suppose this accident especially caught my attention since Brooksyne, along with several of my relatives, is from Oklahoma. I considered the very hard time this family is going through and surely the heavenward question of "why?" many are asking.
We watched an interview last night with Steven Curtis Chapman's family concerning the death of their daughter this last May. They very openly shared about their struggles regarding Maria's sudden tragic death and gave a powerful testimony of their enduring faith. Their son, Will, was driving when Maria was accidentally struck by the car. His older brother Caleb, looking on from inside the house, was at the scene practically immediately. He shared how he looked up to heaven in those unimaginable moments and cried out, "Why, why, why?"
We receive a lot of feedback in this ministry which at times reflects earnest questions and the sharing of deep hurts and probing questions, much like Caleb expressed. I often share the concept of our faith in Christ being like an anchor of hope, which is especially a blessing during times of profound trial.
The "why" questions are especially pertinent when it is our very own experience in trial. The most gifted minds of Bible students have grappled with it for centuries. One of the hardest parts of pastoral work is dealing with the "why" questions in the lives of those we serve. Actually it's one of the hardest parts of life isn't it? I've had several big ones, myself, and so have many of you. Now, in our chaplain work, Brooksyne and I regularly lend support to those in the workplace who are in the midst of a heavy trial essentially asking, "Why is God allowing this to happen to me???"
One, very, very incomplete "seeing through a glass dimly" answer is this: I am convinced that we will have such a radically transformed perspective on the other side that issues which deeply trouble us on this side will be viewed entirely differently.
The verse I have chosen as our daily text was written by one of the leading figures of the Bible. Jeremiah was a man of great faith, commissioned by God from his very conception to be a "prophet to the nations" (see Jeremiah 1:5). When he questions God, "Why do You always forget us? Why do You forsake us so long?" he merely speaks from his heart as he seems to waver between trusting and questioning. Interestingly, in the previous verse he makes a great statement of faith, acknowledging, "You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation" (Lamentations 5:19). In certain circumstances I've found myself wavering, particularly in the very heat of a trial, but I, like Jeremiah, also acknowledge the sovereignty of God at the same time.
Philip Keller has said, "It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us." Well, I for one am still in the school of learning. I'm trusting, but frankly I still explore the "why" questions, both pastorally and personally, from time to time. After I have wrestled with the questions surrounding the ordeal God brings me back around to the extremely important conclusion that He is sovereign. Layton Talbert says it so succinctly in his book, "Not by Chance" that "all things are sustained, directed and controlled by God."
When we embrace God's sovereignty we ask for more of His sustaining grace which leads to inner peace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Our heart's question of "why?" turns into a surrendered seeking of the question "what?" What is it, Lord, that You are trying to teach me in my journey of pain? How can I use it for Your glory and for my spiritual growth!
"Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him.
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er.
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus,
O, for grace to trust Him more!"
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of perplexing situations that develop in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your sovereign power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of suffering. Only a God like You can help us not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. As we share in Your sufferings, we also share in Your glory. Be glorified in our lives; in the good, in the bad, and in the mysterious circumstances of our lives. Amen.
Please note: Today we are heading out to the Midwest for a family reunion near Lincoln Nebraska and visiting friends all along the way. We hope to keep these daily encouragements up but realistically expect we will miss several days over the next couple of weeks. Here is our trip route for those of you who enjoy maps like me. We will update this as needed and share if we come across something interesting!
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