pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: pain


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Suffering, Hope, and Patience

Reading: Romans 8:18-25

Romans 8:19 – “The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters.”

Today’s passage is titled “Our Suffering and Our Hope” in my Bible. Verse 18 really sums this up nicely. Paul reminds his readers and us that our present suffering is “nothing” compared to the glory that will one day be revealed. While Paul is looking forward to heaven here, the glory of God is present in this world as well.

In verse 19 we read, “The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters.” All of creation is subjected to decay and to the impact of sin. All of creation longs to be set free from these things. Paul describes this longing using the birthing process – the groans and labor pains of a mother are like those of creation. Most of us have been in the spot that Paul is connecting to hear, breathlessly waiting, anticipating that first cry, longing to experience the joy of new life. In Paul’s mind this new birth hinges on the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. Paul understood his role and the role of all believers as active participants in God’s work of redemption and restoration. Paul understands that all of creation is waiting for the church to be the church, actively working to bring wholeness and new life to all of creation.

Paul also speaks of a believer’s longing to one day be set free from this body and from this world. While we long for this we do so with hope and with patience. Our hope is set on Christ, the first of many to be set free. We wait with patience, trusting in God’s promise to one day make all things new. We wait with this sure hope. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, guide us to live our our faith day by day, seeking to partner with you in bringing healing, wholeness, and new life to all of creation. Lead us by the Spirit. While our eyes and hearts are set on the glory to come, also enable us to see the suffering and pain of this life. Seeing, move us to respond. Amen.


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Afflictions

Reading: Psalm 6:3-9

Psalm 6:3 – “How long will this last? Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me!”

Photo credit: Falaq Lazuardi

David cries out to God in Psalm 6 much as we cry out to God over the courses of our lives. In this Psalm, David is “completely terrified.” Perhaps you have felt this way. Or maybe you have felt utterly hopeless or totally defeated or absolutely alone or beyond grief. Maybe it is a chronic illness that has settled in, disrupting your life. In each case and many more we’ve all uttered words similar to David’s: “How long will this last? Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me!”

David must feel close to death. He lifts the idea that no one praises God from Sheol, a place between death and eternity. As the Psalm continues, David expresses his sorrow and pain. He feels worn out. Each night his bed is soaked with tears. His vision has become unclear – perhaps physically but more likely emotionally. The feeling of not being able to see or think straight has effected all of us during difficult times in life.

The affliction of David appears to be caused by others. David tells the “evil doers” to get away. There is a reason besides simply wanting relief or healing. David declares that God has heard his cries, that God has listened, that God accepts his prayer. The light and love of God has permeated David’s darkness. Of this, David is sure. He feels it in his heart. In our times of suffering and trial, may it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, sorrow, pain, suffering, grief – they are all part of this life. All will come upon us at times. Lead us to you in these moments and seasons – you are our rock and our hope. Guide us to trust in you alone – you are our strength and our redeemer. Amen.


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No One Sees

Reading: 1st Samuel 1:3-8

1st Samuel 1:8 – “Why won’t you eat? Why are you so sad? Aren’t I worth more than ten sons to you?”

This week we delve into our call to see the small, the overlooked, the marginalized. We will wrestle with how we respond to their cries. This often puts us at odds with those in power and with our culture.

All of these topics are present in our 1st Samuel 1 reading. In the text, Hannah is the central figure. She is the one who only receives one part of the offering “because the Lord had kept her from conceiving.” In this agricultural society, children were necessary for a family’s survival. This also factored in later in life. Without children in old age, one would potentially not have anyone to care or provide for them. To be unable to bear children was a cultural shame and a great risk.

Hannah is frequently reminded of all of this by Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, the one with many children. This cruelty was especially unavoidable at the festival in Shiloh. All were together in limited space. Elkanah sees Hannah crying and says to her, “Why won’t you eat? Why are you so sad? Aren’t I worth more than ten sons to you?” The focus of his questions are really on himself and his self-worth, not on Hannah. He sees her but doesn’t really see her. No one really sees Hannah. Who do you know that is like this?

Prayer: Lord God, we too can look past the one hurting right in front of us. We too can make it about how their pain or suffering is effecting us or our lives. In these times, Lord, slow us down, divest us of self, guide us to be present to the person and make us responsive to their needs. Amen.


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Pursuing God

Reading: 1st Timothy 6:5-12

1st Timothy 6:12 – “Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life.”

As Paul closes his first letter to Timothy he lays out the difference between being faithful and wanting to look faithful. We see this today in our world as people claim to follow Jesus and then say and do things that Jesus would’ve never ever said or done. There is “constant bickering” in these circles and there is a constant desire for “more money” and for more power, more control, more… Paul’s words in verse 5 still ring true today.

Paul reminds Timothy that there is great profit in our faith. It is just not profit as the world defines this idea. Paul invites Timothy (and us) to be happy or content with what God has provided, whether food or clothing or whatever. This frame of mind helps to guard our hearts against loving and pursuing the things of this world. This contrasts sharply with those trying to “get rich” or to accumulate others things of this world. There folks easily “fall into temptation” as they become trapped in the endless cycle of “more!” Some of these have even “impaled themselves with a lot of pain” in their pursuit of earthly things.

Timothy is encouraged to “run away from these things.” Paul encourages him to pursue the things of God: “righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, gentleness.” These are the things we too are to pursue. Paul then implores Timothy (and us) to “Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life.” To deny self, to not pursue the things of this world, it is a fight, a battle. In my study Bible the commentary notes, “In the end we will become not what we own but what we do.” Pursuing God, may we be transformed more and more into God’s image and character, day by day.

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, fix our eyes and hearts on you. By this same power, guard our eyes and hearts against those things that our culture values. Lead us to find peace and contentment, joy and pleasure in all that you provide. Amen.


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Good and Perfect

Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

Revelation 21:3 – “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.”

Revelation 21 begins the third major section of John’s book and it recounts the new creation – a new heaven and earth. In many ways this vision bookends Genesis 1, where God walked and talked daily with humankind in a perfect and good world created by God. In Revelation, the new creation comes down out of heaven and settles on earth. John names this city of God “the New Jerusalem.” It is magnificently described in verse 2 as “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” There is intimacy in these words.

In verse 3 we read, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.” God’s constant presence will be with all who dwell in the new creation. Because of this presence, there will be no tears, no death, “no mourning, crying, or pain.” These are the things of the old world and they will pass away, establishing a new creation where life, joy, love, and peace will reign.

The one on the throne speaks, declaring, “Look! I’m making all things new.” The divine presence is doing what was done in Genesis 1. Through the power of God, all will be made anew, good and perfect. Our role in this new creation will be to worship our God. What a beautiful vision of what will one day come into being.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the hope found in these words. These are words we always need to remember and often need to hear. Lead and guide us to walk faithfully all of our days. Draw us towards the new creation. And use us to help manifest it here on earth. Amen.


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May the God of…

Reading: 1st Samuel 1:9-17

1st Samuel 1:16b – “This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble.”

Photo credit: Rainier Ridao

Today’s scene is located in a place of worship in Shiloh. Elkanah, the husband of Hannah and Peninnah, takes his family here once a year to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Hannah’s life is very hard emotionally. Peninnah would “make fun of her mercilessly” because Hannah was unable to conceive children. Children, especially male children, were highly valued in that culture. If Elkanah died, for example, Hannah’s survival would depend on her offspring. Bearing and raising children was Hannah’s main responsibility in life and she was unable to meet this expectation.

It is with heaviness of heart and soul that Hannah goes to the place of worship. She is “very upset” and she “couldn’t stop crying.” She pours our her heart to God, begging for a son, promising to “give him to the Lord for his entire life.” This willingness to give up a son reveals the depth of her pain and shame over being childless. While our society today doesn’t place the same premium on bearing children, what does bring shame in our culture? If you are without ____, what marginalizes people today?

Eli sees Hannah praying. The priest assumes that she is drunk. She is not. She says to Eli, “This whole time I’ve been praying out of my great worry and trouble.” She has almost assuredly prayer for a child ever since marrying Elkanah. The desperation has risen with each child Peninnah bore to him. Understanding the depth of her pain, sorrow, and shame, Eli blesses her, saying, “May the God of Israel give you what you’ve asked from him.” In our moments of great need, may it be so for us as well.

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we feel like Hannah. Sometimes we feel marginalized and less than. For some folks, though, that is their “normal.” Lord, open our eyes and awaken our hearts to those who exist on the edges today. With your love and compassion, guide us to draw them into community, into a place where they can find meaning and worth. Through the sharing of our blessings, use us to meet their needs. Amen.


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All for Us

Reading: Psalm 22:1-18

Psalm 22:7-8 – “All who see me make fun of me… ‘He committed himself to the Lord, so let God rescue him ‘”

Photo credit: Emily Crawford

In these words of David there is lament, sorrow, pain, abandonment. As we read these words we can feel what David was going through. Perhaps you, like me, connected back to an experience in your life when you felt these emotions. Jesus felt them. Throughout this Psalm we see connections to the passion of the Christ.

David begins with words Jesus echoes from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you left me all alone?” Taking the sin of the world upon himself, God could not look at Jesus. David then recalls times – both personal and corporate – when God rescued, saved, answered the prayers and cries for help. That trust and faith still wants to be there. The pain and suffering just makes it hard.

David is being “insulted by one person, despised by another.” On the cross, Jesus endured taunts, insults, mocking. In verses 7-8 we read, “All who see me make fun of me… ‘He committed himself to the Lord, so let God rescue him.'” The gospels echo these last words, spoken by the religious leaders who orchestrated Jesus’ crucifixion. In verses 9-11 there is a slight reprieve to the difficult emotions. David recalls a life committed to God. He asks for God’s presence. In the garden there are moments of intimate prayer between Jesus and God. Reflecting his own commitment and obedience, Jesus says, “Not my will…”

On the cross, as it was in the Psalm for David, it must’ve felt like everyone was against Jesus. He must’ve felt surrounded. Jesus’ life was poured out like water for us. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes. Jesus was pierced in the hands and feet. All for us. All for us. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you truly hold it all in your hands. In these words that you inspired in David we see Christ’s story, played out a thousand years later. Your plan is grand. Yet you also hold each of us in your hands. You created us in the womb, designed to bear that image to the world. You walk with us daily. You are our God. Thank you. Amen.


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With Us Always

Reading: Psalm 91:9-16

Psalm 91:10 – “No evil will happen to you; no disease will come near to your tent.”

Psalm 91 is a liturgy of divine protection. The psalmist is expressing his or her belief in God as protector. They express an absolute trust in God. In verse 9 God is declared to be a place of refuge, the place of residence. The Psalm closes with God’s promise to fill them with “old age” and to “show you my salvation.” Throughout the Psalm we see the Jewish belief that living a godly life will result in being blessed by God. There will be rescue, protection, answered prayer, saving.

In verse 10 we read, “No evil will happen to you; no disease will come near to your tent.” This is backed up in verse 11, where we read that God will order the angels to protect us “wherever you go.” In verse 12 we read that we won’t even “bruise a foot” because the angels will carry us. With God’s protection we’ll be able to “march on top of lions and vipers.” These words express trust and faith in God. These words were written in a time when all things were seen as under God’s control.

As the biblical narrative unfolds, we see a shift in understanding. God created and designed the world and set it into motion. God does not, however, micromanage the world. Evil, free will, selfishness, greed… – these are part of the human condition. Nobody teaches a young child, for example, to want that toy just for themselves. They must be taught to share. Illness and death are also part of the human condition. Our bodies are amazing, complex creations of God. We are not, however, bulletproof, fireproof, illness-proof… These realities of life bring oppression, injustice, pain, grief, suffering. God desires to be with us in these hard moments. Calling upon God in faith and trust, our God of relationship will walk with us always.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for always being with us when we call out. Lead and guide us to have a deep trust in your love and care for us. Impart upon us also an understanding of the realities of the human condition. In moments of goodness and joy, in moments when evil or illness or when poor decisions impact our lives, draw us to you, be present in our trials, walk with us in all of life. Amen.


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Come, Lord Jesus!

Reading: Revelation 21-22

Revelation 21:5 – “Then the one seated on the throne said, ‘Look! I’m making all things new.'”

As we conclude our Bible Year reading plan with Revelation 21 and 22, it is a wonderful end to this project and to the words of scripture. These two chapters give us a sneak peak into eternity. God and Jesus Christ are victorious. All evil is no more. Everything focuses on worshipping God and the Lamb.

Chapter 21 begins with the new heaven and earth becoming one as the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven. In this heavenly city, God will once again dwell with “his people.” There will be no tears, no death, no mourning, no pain. The one in the throne declares, “Look! I’m making all things new.” In his fourth spirit-led trance John gets a tour of this new city of God. It is 1,500 miles on each side. It was twelve gates, each made out of a huge pearl, each gate with the name of one of Israel’s twelve tribes on it. The city has twelve foundations, each made of a different previous stone, each bearing the name of one of the twelve apostles. There is no sun or moon. God’s glory is the light and the Lamb is the lamp. The river of life flows from the throne of God. On each bank is a tree of life. The trees bear twelve fruits and the leaves bring healing. God’s servants gather around the throne, worshipping God and the Lamb.

The epilogue begins in 22:6. An angel declares these words “trustworthy and true.” John states that he heard and saw these things. He is told not to seal the scroll because “the time is near.” Jesus, the “root and descendant of David… the bright morning star,” is coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Prayer: Lord God, we long for the day. We long to see the new heaven and earth. We long to dwell in your presence. Today we pray, come Lord Jesus. Amen.


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People of Grace and Love

Reading: Philemon

Philemon 1:15 – “Maybe… Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever.”

Today we turn to Paul’s letter to Philemon. He is appealing to Philemon to receive Onesimus back not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Paul walks the fine line between coercion and appeal, at least twice crossing this line. Paul writes this letter not just to Philemon but also to the church that Philemon is a part of. What Paul asks of Philemon extends to the whole community of faith.

As I read this story today my mind went to the parable of the prodigal son. It also reminds me of estrangements that I’ve heard of in families I know well. We’re familiar with and maybe even have been involved in stories of separation, in experiences where one party somehow hurt or offended the other, making reconciliation difficult. In the story of the prodigal son we see how grace and love overcome the harm done to welcome the younger son back into the family. We are left hanging concerning the younger son’s estrangement from the older brother. We hope that they are reconciled. In situations we’ve experienced (or are still experiencing), love and grace are the keys to reconciliation.

Just as the younger brother and perhaps that family member or friend changed for the better to open the door for reconciling, so too has Onesimus changed. As a brother in Christ he has become useful to Paul. To Philemon he writes, “Maybe… Onesimus was separated from you for a while so that you might have him back forever.” Maybe the younger son had to experience the bottom of the pit to change. Maybe that estranged family member or friend had to experience something really hard to be changed. When change occurs, though, the ball is in our court. We hope that Philemon received Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. May we too be people of grace and love.

Prayer: Lord God, reconciliation is not easy. At times we are deeply wronged. Perhaps we’ve also suffered financially or physically. When the hurt and pain are deep, Lord, may your love and grace be deeper still. Through these, heal the hurt and pain in our hearts. Lead us then to be as you are, generous and abundant in our love and grace. Amen.