To
those impacted by the devastating fire at the Old School Apartments last week, I
offer my heartfelt condolences, prayers for God’s comforting presence, and help
with things you need. In the next few paragraphs I want to offer you some
foundational truths intended to bring encouragement and healing in troubled
times.
I’d
also like to say a brief word of appreciation to all those who have already
responded to this crisis. From the first responders to neighbors to family members
to those helping organize relief efforts to everyone who’s shown love to the
hurting, thanks for coming together to assist in time of need.
When
life brings pain and suffering, we need to know where to turn. We need to know
there’s hope. We need to know God.
Many
times we ask, “Why me?”, and wonder, “Where’s God when I need Him?”, and question,
“How can God allow bad things to happen like this?”
These
principles I’m going to share with you here hardly begin to scratch the
surface, but I offer these truth anchors in prayerful hope that you’ll find a
place to hang on. In our Sunday School class at Petersburg First Baptist Church
we’ve been studying these very questions and discovering some helpful and
hopeful realities. Here are some for starters.
1. Suffering
is a part of living in a fallen world. God created a paradise for Adam and Eve.
Everything was good and perfect until Satan tempted Eve to disobey God, and it
all began to unravel. Disease, brokenness, pain, hardship, death – all can be
traced back to the fall in the Garden. We live in a world cursed by the consequences
of sin, but those who know Jesus are waiting with hope for the day of
redemption through Christ.
2. God’s
actions are often beyond our understanding, but we can trust Him. God’s thoughts
and ways are much higher than ours and His greatness is unfathomable. Charles
Spurgeon said, “Even when we can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” He doesn’t
owe us explanations, and it would be the height of folly for us in our human
finiteness to blame the omnipotent God for our hardships. Read Job’s story in
the Bible and pay attention to God’s response in chapters 38-42.
3. Jesus
willingly experienced pain and suffering for our salvation. Here’s the best
news I can give you today. Because Jesus endured the horrors of crucifixion on
our behalf, for our sin, He not only knows our pain and sympathizes with our
weaknesses, but gives us confidence to “draw near to the throne of grace, that
we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
He endured the cross for the joy set before Him – the eternal glory that will
far outweigh this light and momentary trouble. And in Him we too can know the
joy and hope of the eternal life to come.
Much
more could be said, and I’d be happy to talk with or pray with you if you’d
like. Contact me at 217-632-2488. May the God of all comfort fill you with
peace in Christ Jesus.
