The Way of Suffering

Via Dolorosa

'He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain' Isaiah 53:3

There is a street in Jerusalem upon which I have walked about seven times in my life. It is an alley way lined by small shops on both sides where the Arab merchants sell their merchandise of copper and silver ware, decorated pottery, carpets and souvenirs. Meandering upwards of, a now imperceptible, low hill, this street led to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – Calvary. Someone else walked that street, nearly 2000 years ago. 

It was not an easy or pleasant 'sight-seeing' walk. This street, then, was the last walk for a prisoner condemned to die and on his way to the gallows. Jesus, having endured torture, carried the cross and trudged up this hill, with difficult, painful and stumbling steps. On both sides of his path, the multitudes, many of whom were pilgrims celebrating the Jewish passover, scorned, mocked and derided him. 

The street is called the Via Dolorosa, the way of suffering. Pilgrims can walk the 14 stations of the cross beginning from the flogging of Christ into the streets to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day

The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street

But the crowd pressed in to see

The man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back

And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head

And He bore with every step

The scorn of those who cried out for His death

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of

His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men

Made its way to the heart of Jerusalem

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

On Sunday 4 Sep 2022, several members from Charis Methodist Church journeyed to Oberammergau to watch the Passion Play. About 400 years ago, the residents of this small Bavarian village prayed for God to spare them further losses from the Black Death. With prayer, the town witnessed the last of the plague's victims. They vowed to perform a play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ every 10 years since.

Legend has it that ever since 1634, when the villagers of Oberammergau first performed their passion play, no more epidemic hit the village. However they could not escape Covid-19. Like so many places on earth, Oberammergau experienced several deaths forcing the village to postpone the event until 2022. 

We were able to relive the experience and sense of the suffering of Jesus Christ in His last few hours on earth. Then we celebrated the resurrection of Christ along with many others. 

Charis Methodist Church at Oberammergau

This experience of Jesus, tortured, scorned and derided, is a hallmark in the history of Christianity. Christianity began in pain. For several centuries afterwards, the early Christians, endured the same risk Jesus endured whenever they professed their faith. 

With the passing of time, Christianity became an internationally accepted faith; persecution stopped and Christians began to enjoy the bountiful blessings of God. Christians now enjoy acceptance, security, peace and well being. 

We become surprised and disoriented when we face a different experience. But pain and suffering can become a cross that some Christians will experience. When this happens it is easy to blame God. We live with the presumption this could not happen to us. 

How can a good God, who bestows goodness, allow this to happen? Woody Allen was purported to have said, “How do you expect me to believe in God, when only last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of my electric type-writer?” We do not have to respond with Woody-Allenian smugness. There are many fine examples of people who have endured suffering and come out more mature; their responses more elegant and erudite. The Via Dolorosa is a poignant reminder, etched upon the pages of history, of the suffering of Jesus Christ and that pain can and will happen to Christians.

Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord" presents itself to us a song of hope and faith. People around the world know it, sing it, and love it because of its profound message. 

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Few know the song was inspired by a horrific tragedy in the life of its composer. In August of 1932, Dorsey was scheduled to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting in St. Louis. At the time his wife, Nettie was pregnant with their first child. He kissed her goodbye and made his way to St. Louis for the revival meeting. The next night, as soon as he finished playing, he received a telegram and pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: 'Your wife just died.' Nettie had given birth to a boy but later the baby died. In the midst of despair, a friend visited Dorsey and arranged for him to be left alone in a music room with a piano. For the first time in many days, he sat at a piano using his fingers to browse the keys. Soon, the young artist experienced a personal revival, "I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, one I'd never heard or played before, and words for "Precious Lord" came into my head—they just seemed to fall into place." 

'Weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.' Psalms 30:5 

Lionel 

Updated 1st Published 22 Feb 2008

Hard Times but Life Is Beautiful

The Murray in Drought

'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad - for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to the world.'  1 Peter 4:12-13

The Murray Valley is one of Australia's bread baskets. Fed by waters from the Murray river, this basin is lush with vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards. From 10-16 Oct 2008, all 6 of us, Pat, Becky and I, John, Debbie and James, shared the rural pastoral experience of a town named Yarrawonga. It is located at the dam across the Murray River and Lake Mulwara. We swam, kayaked down the river, golfed, visited farms and wineries. The perceptive visitor will sense that there is a certain dryness, a land hardened by drought in this particular part of Australia. 

The shop-owner who rented to us two kayaks informed that the drought had so far lasted 10+ years. He had stopped taking tourist for kayaking tours because the interesting creeks along the river had all dried up. A farmer's wife at the Uniting Church where we worshipped, that Sunday informed Pat that the smaller farms had to burn their crops if there was insufficient rain. The church members are all senior citizens. They were so pleased to see us and to hear baby James cry in church. The younger people had long left the area to seek their fortunes in Melbourne or Sydney.

 

Droughts are hard times especially for a farming community but the week we were at Yarrawonga, coincided with the global financial crisis making it worse. Banks failed, the stock markets crashed and a global recession loomed. Many governments had to step in and underwrite their national banks. Australia was no exception. We can expect many people to suffer huge financial losses.

 

Kevin Rudd, then Prime Minister of Australia, rallied the Australians to tide over the global financial crisis with these words. "Anyone who grew up on the land knows that you can't control the weather," he declared. "Sunshine every day and rainy nights. That's what you dream of. But life's not like that. There are good years and there are hard years. And you don't choose the order in which they come. But the hard years teach you never to give up." Kevin Rudd was not just politicising but referring to character building; hard times whether in farms or in corporate rooms can bring out the best in character provided one learns life's lessons humbly.

Through these times, we learnt the bitter lesson that life wasn't meant to be easy. Christians despite our special relationships with God can fall on hard times too. Our faithfulness and the promised blessings do not shelter us from the hard knocks of life. Chapter 12 of the Book of Hebrews writes of discipline imposed on God's children and encourages us to withstand and overcome it,

'No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been through it.' Hebrews 12:11

We admire people who can go through very trying periods and still retain their sense of humour and sanity. The character, Guido in the film 'Life Is Beautiful' is a case study. Guido, goes to extraordinary lengths to convince his son that navigating life under the Nazis in the concentration camp is actually all an elaborate game. His behaviour in times of great suffering is comical and amuses his son, the narrator in the film who described his Dad's ruse as 'his gift to me.'   

Roger Ebert the film critic noted that in the real death camps there would be no role for, the comic, Guido. Ebert wrote, "But Life Is Beautiful is not about Nazis and Fascists, but about the human spirit. It is about rescuing whatever is good and hopeful from the wreckage of dreams. About hope for the future." The critic Tom Dawson wrote "the film is presumably intended as a tribute to the powers of imagination, innocence, and love in the most harrowing of circumstances," 

St Augustine, in his book the 'City of God' spoke of suffering and opined that what matters is not the nature of the suffering, what matters is the nature of the sufferer. Bishop (Dr) Robert Solomon wrote in his book, The Race(Ref 1), “In suffering, we need to find meaning. We need to also find love. It is difficult to suffer alone and many people feel they do. But we are not really alone when we suffer. God offers us His loving presence.” Bishop wrote on, “And when we allow Him to walk with us, we will find that suffering is redemptive. It changes us and makes us like Him. It gives depth and brings new life.”

St Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 8,

'I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the the glory that will be revealed in us...For we all know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purposes... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."  Romans 8:18,28,35 and 37

Matt Redman wrote a song, 'It is Well with My Soul' which is describes the relationship of Christians with suffering and the grace and blessing it can bring.

Our scars are a sign

Of grace in our lives

Oh Father, how you brought us through

 

When deep were the wounds

And dark was the night

The promise of your love you proved

 

Now every battle still to come

Let this be our song

 

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

 

Weeping may come

Remain for a night

But joy will paint the morning sky

 

You're there in the fast

You're there in the feast

Your faithfulness will always shine

 

Now every blessing still to come

Let this be our song

 

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

I trust your ways (trust your ways)

I trust your name (trust your name)

It is well, it is well with my soul

 

You lead us through battles

(You lead us through battles)

You lead us to blessing

(you lead us to blessing)

And you make us fruitful

(and you make us fruitful)

In the land of our suffering, God

 

Lionel

Ref 1. Robert M Solomon, The Race – Finding the Real Journey in Life. Genesis Books 2008

Updated 1st Published Nov 2008

Is God Absent?

 

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.' Psalms 46:1

All over the world, people are reeling under the scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic. As of today, 194,476,739 persons have been infected and 4,167,020 have died. It is not only those who have succumbed to the infection who are suffering, many others suffer economic hardships. Businesses are forced to close, many families are left destitute. It is altogether a dismal time.

In this situation many Christians prayed and waited for relief from God but after more than two years help seem to be withheld. Many may feel that God is silent, God is absent in this predicament. Is God Absent? 

The absence of God in the face of extreme suffering and persecution was explored in a historical fiction entitled Silence written by Japanese Catholic Shusaku Endo. It was made into a film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Liam Neeson and Andrew Garfield.

Most of us are unaware that Japan had a strong Christian community in the 17th Century. In the southern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku, Christian daimyos (warlords) ruled. However during the Tokugawa Shogunate, there was a brutal persecution of Japanese Christians. Christians were tortured, made to repudiate their faith and forced to go into hiding. The Christian population in Japan dwindled significantly.

There is an extremely good synopsis and analysis of the film Silence placed on YouTube by Josh Keefe which I recommend you watch to understand the issues surrounding the silence of God. 

The author Shusaku Endo wrote, "I had long read about the martyrdom in the lives of the saints – how the souls of the martyrs had gone home to Heaven, how they had been filled with glory in Paradise, how the angels had blown trumpets. This was the splendid martyrdom I had often seen in my dreams. But the martyrdom of the Japanese Christians I now describe to you was no such glorious thing. What a miserable and painful business it was!" ( Ref 1)

It is timely for us to reflect on the age-old questions, Why does God allow suffering? Why in the midst of suffering was God silent? Where is God? 

My friend, William Wan sent me an article written by Dr Patrick Zukeran; a good commentary of the movie as well as a Christian apologetic on this question of Silence and Suffering (Ref 2). 

Zukeran wrote, "I believe Endo wants us to understand the struggle of persecuted Christians and wants us to understand they wrestle with their guilt for the rest of their lives....another lesson Endo wants us to learn is that God is not silent; He remains with His people in their suffering and never abandons His people.  Throughout church history, Christians have faced brutal persecutions. Even Christ, the Son of God suffered the most dreadful death on the cross. Therefore, God understands the pain we experience, He grieves at the wickedness of men, and He promises to be with us always."

Eventually the priest in the film, Father Rodrigues broke, unable to bear the psychological torture of having to witness the physical torture of the Japanese Christians. He stepped on the image of Christ. As he stepped on that image, instead of anger in the eyes of Christ, he saw eyes of understanding and love and he visualised, "Even now that face is looking at me with eyes of pity from the plaque rubbed by many feet. “Trample!” said those compassionate eyes. “Trample! Your foot suffers in pain; it must suffer like all the feet that have stepped on this plaque. But that pain alone is enough. I understand your pain and your suffering. It is for that reason I am here.”

In suffering, Christians identify with the suffering of Christ as He was tortured and crucified. The Apostle Paul wrote about his experience with suffering and concluded,

'so I could know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner of His sufferings, and go all the way with Him to death itself.' Philippians 3:10-11

In thinking about the book and film, I learned that though God may be silent at times, He is always present. Yes God is present at times of distress even in this pandemic and God is present always. Ng Kok Song, a friend, said this recently in an international meditation group of business leaders, "God is always present in us, around us, everywhere. If God is not present, everything would dissolve. The problem is that we are absent most of the time, except during particular times of prayer and meditation, where we try to become present to the Presence."

Kok Song's sharing brings to mind Psalm 46:1-3

'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.'

This song, You are Mine will underscores this immutable fact and comforts us.

I will come to you in the silence

I will lift you from all your fear

You will hear My voice

I claim you as My choice

Be still, and know I am near

I am hope for all who are hopeless

I am eyes for all who long to see

In the shadows of the night,

I will be your light

Come and rest in Me

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

I am strength for all the despairing

Healing for the ones who dwell in shame

All the blind will see, the lame will all run free

And all will know My name

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

I am the Word that leads all to freedom

I am the peace the world cannot give

I will call your name, embracing all your pain

Stand up, now, walk, and live

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

Do not be afraid, I am with you

I have called you each by name

Come and follow Me

I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine

In times like these, help will come from God. 

'I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the make of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip, He who watches you will not slumber nor sleep.' Psalm 121:1-3

Lionel

Ref 1 Shusaku Endo, Silence. New York: Taplinger Publishing Company, 1969

Ref 2: https://evidenceandanswers.org/article/silence-the-hidden-story-of-the-japanese-christians/

The Silent God

The Covid Cloud? 

'I know that my Redeemer lives and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.' Job 19:25

There are times when God is silent. I am afraid these are such times.

The whole world is living under a cloud; the unrelenting devastation of Covid-19 upon this earth. This pandemic affects health, mortality, economy, livelihood and life itself, of every human being on this planet. Just when we think that the spread of infection was controlled, the virus rears its ugly head again with new variants. 

There is untold suffering. Those affected must have asked Why God? We search for answers, for reasons but God is silent. This pandemic has gone on for over two years unabated. Unanswered prayer but this is not the first nor will it be the last time when God will choose to remain silent. 

Consider the Apostle Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' which God did not relieve despite much prayer. In the end, Paul was prepared to resign to God's will

'He said to me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.' 2 Cor 12:9,10 (The Message)

Remember Job? Job was a rich and righteous man. Then for reasons unknown to him, he was struck with one calamity upon another. It left him in ruins and devastated his health, wealth, family and even his appearance. Four friends who visited, purportedly to comfort, ended up accusing him of grievous sin for such a severe punishment to befall him. Job searched for a reason for his sufferings but for a long time God was silent.

Today there must be many families who are suffering greatly from this pandemic. Like Job they may be aggrieved that God is distant

'Though I cry, "Violence!" I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.' Job 19:7

The unrelenting pressure can break some of us. 

'Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.' Job 30:26-27

Faced with this pandemic, it will help us to consider Job's situation.  Job went to the brink but he did not break. The bible recorded this

'Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God.' Job 1:22

Charles Swindoll said, "When flat on our backs, the only way is to look is up. It worked." (Ref 1). Even though we may face the darkest of night, even though God seem not to answer us, let us keep faith in Him. Finally God will have His day, finally He will have His say. As Job said, 

'I know that my redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand on the earth.' Job 19:25  

This great assurance has been culturally immortalised by George Frideric Handel's in the third movement of Messiah a masterpiece, I Know that My Redeemer Liveth

I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
Upon the earth

And though worms destroy this body
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Yet in my flesh shall I see God

I know that my redeemer liveth
For now is Christ risen from the dead
The first fruits of them that sleep
Of them that sleep

Covid-19 pandemic will pass. Many may think that it will forever affect us and that we have to adjust to a new post-Covid normal. I hope not. Why? Because the Lord will hear us, He will not stay silent forever; He will heal and as Job said at the last He will take His stand on this earth.

In the words of a modern praise song by Bob Fitts The Lord Reigns!

 

The Lord reigns, the Lord reigns The Lord reigns Let the earth rejoice Let the earth rejoice Let the earth rejoice Let the people be glad That our God reigns A fire goes before him And burns up all his enemies The hills melt like wax At the presence of the lord At the presence of the lord The heavens declare His righteousness The people see His glory For You oh Lord are exalted Over all the earth Over all the earth

Lionel

Ref 1: Charles Swindoll. Job, A Man of Heroic Endurance. Thomas Nelson 2004

Crisis, Calamities and Challenges

 

'For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.' Psalm 103:14   

The book of Job is a study of crisis, calamities and challenges. It also lays out a simple message, life is difficult and not the airy-fairy success stories that the modern multi-media like to spin for us. 

Furthermore, life can be unfair, What can we say to someone who at the pinnacle of life is struck down by severe cancer? Or how can we console parents who have just delivered a child with multiple congenital defects?

There is really no answer we can provide that will satisfy nor comfort the anguished soul suffering such calamities. The biblical Job suffered untold miseries and his struggle to find some sanity to all that he experienced have been used by Christians to try to survive unexpected and unsought crisis. Many a Christian will cling on to the lessons in this Bible book to withstand the challenges of an unfair hand.  

Job was a man, loved by God for his uprightness and envied by Satan. God was proud of Job, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:8. In order to prove God wrong and thinking that Job's faith would buckle under pressure, Satan asked God's permission to inflict extreme suffering and misfortune on Job. And God allowed it.

Throughout the ordeal, Job searched for answers including listening to opinions of four friends and his wife. They blamed Job or blamed God for this predicament. There are no easy answers.

The apostle Peter was also acquainted with suffering. He wrote, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13 

Gradually Job understood although he could not fully explain his misfortunes fully. Timothy Keller surmised (Ref 1), "Suffering can refine us rather than destroy us because God himself walks with us in the fire? But how do we actually walk with God in such times? How do we orient ourselves toward him so that suffering changes us for the better rather than for the worse? Keller too left some questions unanswered. 

John Piper observed that suffering cannot be explained by the simple principle of retributive justice, where each person gets what he deserves: suffering for the evil and prosperity for the good. Often in life, it is the righteous who suffer and the wicked who prosper. But suffering is not dispensed willy-nilly among the people of God. It is apportioned to us as individually designed so that our faith might be refined, our holiness might be enlarged, our soul might be saved, and our God might be glorified.

Throughout Job's ordeal, God was ever present although Job may not even have realised this because for a long time, God was silent. Yet, in the end Job's fortunes were restored twice over. Despite crisis, calamities and challenges Job did not blame God. The Job Suite by Michael Card explained: 

Blameless and upright, a fearer of God

A man truly righteous, no pious façade

One about whom God was accustomed to boast

And so one whom Satan desired the most

One day the accuser came breathing out lies

"It's Your holy handouts, his faithfulness buys"

In one desperate day his possessions were lost

His children all killed in one raw holocaust

His children all killed in one raw holocaust

And yet through it all

Through the tears and pain

He worshiped his God

Found no reason to blame

Once more the Deceiver denounced and decried

"It's skin for skin, and hide for hide,

Strike down his flesh and he'll surely deny

And confess that his praying has all been a lie."

"Very well, take him, " the Holy One sighed

But you must spare his life, my son shall not die

So Job was afflicted with terrible sores

Sat down in the ashes to wait for the Lord

Sat down in the ashes to wait for the Lord

And yet through it all

Through the tears and pain

He worshiped his God

Found no reason to blame

Rev (Dr) Leonard Wee, Registrar Trinity Theological College of Singapore wrote a Lent meditation (Ref 2), "In the midst of life's challenges, it is sometimes easy to forget that we have a God who loves us deeply, and whose mercy and compassion would never fail. When situations become discouraging, we wonder if the Lord is going to withhold His mercy. Yet it is also in life's most difficult challenges that we often experience the lovingkindness of God." 

Lionel

Ref 1: Timothy Keller. Walking with God through Pain and suffering. Hodder and Stoughton 2013

Ref 2: The Bible Society of Singapore. From Fear to Faith, Daily Devotions for Lent 2021. Sower Publishers, 2021. 

Living With Pain

'My son, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal' Ecclesiastes 21:1

Rugby and football players often have injuries and yet they are told to start a game and play through the pain. The American football coach Vince Lombardi used to tell his players, "Men, you can only win the big games when you learn to play with the little hurts of life." Many sports enthusiasts console themselves over pain during training with the reminder, no pain no gain. This is the reality.

Timothy Keller introduced his book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering (Ref 1) with this sentence, 'Suffering is everywhere, unavoidable and its scope overwhelms'. Keller bravely recognised pain and suffering as a reality of life and we are often subjected to forces beyond our power to manage. 

Even as we may blithely accept the reality of pain, we should always sympathise with those who are undergoing the suffering and anguish. Their major concern is not just the relief of it but how can they survive it, how can one get through the ordeal without losing the best part of oneself. Suffering can strip away at our humanity and dignity; our personal survival.

A major concern borne out by the life of Job is that life can be unfair. There seems to be no correlation between whether we do wrong or right compared with the rewards or the suffering we get from life. While we may accept that life can be difficult, undeserved suffering is very difficult to accept. 

Many people reject God because of the experience of pain and suffering in their lives especially when they feel that they do not deserve the predicament. How can a good God allow such misery? 

What will be the response for Christians? 

In the book, the Çity of God', St Augustine spoke of suffering and opined that what matters is not the nature of the suffering but the nature of the sufferer. How has it affected us? How has it shaped our lives? Is it creating a movement in our souls that directs us to God?

When Christians face pain and undeserved suffering, it might do well for us to remember that Jesus endured the cross. A bitter agony which He bore for us. He paid the ultimate penalty for our sins and hung there on the cross, crucified. There is a negro spiritual 'Were You There When They Crucified the Lord' to remind us that Jesus also suffered.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 

Ooh, sometimes it causes me to tremble

Tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they pierced him in his side?

Were you there when they pierced him in his side?

Ooh, sometimes it causes me to tremble

Tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they pierced him in his side?

Were you there when they took him from the cross?

Were you there when they took him from the cross?

Ooh, sometimes it causes me to tremble

Tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they took him from the cross?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Ooh, sometimes it causes me to tremble

Tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when the stone was rolled away?

Were you there when the stone was rolled away?

Ooh, sometimes it causes me to tremble

Tremble tremble, tremble, tremble

Were you there when the stone was rolled away?

This acceptance of pain is not a stoic, fatalistic or cop-out response. Christians see always an element of God's grace wherein God is in control and will eventually put things right. Even if it does not lead to the removal of the pain, God's grace will lead to mitigation and alleviation of the suffering. It is not surprising then, that for as many people who may reject God because of pain and suffering, others find God instead. Timothy Keller surmised, "I learned that just as many people find God through affliction and suffering. They find that adversity moves them towards God rather than away." This was exactly the conclusion and meaning of Psalms 34:1-3

'I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.'

• Praise can be uttered by the mouths of the privileged as well as the deprived
• Reality of pain and suffering should be recognised not ignored nor rejected
• Blessings will also come for the afflicted too
• The worship of God will uplift our souls and help us survive our suffering

Inevitably, we, growing older, will have to deal with our frailties. Our physical bodies will fail us, some suffering from disease will be in pain. Living with pain will become a reality and at this stage we need to learn how to maintain a life of purpose in the midst of this adversity. There is no fear. Enjoy this song, How Can I Fear?

 

When shadows fall and the night covers all

There are things that my eyes cannot see.

I never fear, for the Saviour is near.

My LORD abides with me!

How can I fear? Jesus is near!

He ever watches over me!

Worries all cease; He gives me peace.

How can I fear with Jesus?

When I'm alone and I face the unknown

And I fear what the future may be,

I can depend on the strength of my Friend!

He walks along with me.

How can I fear? Jesus is near!

He ever watches over me!

Worries all cease; He gives me peace.

How can I fear with Jesus?

Jesus is King! He controls everything!

He is with me each night and each day.

I trust my soul to the Saviour's control;

He drives all fear away!

How can I fear? Jesus is near!

He ever watches over me!

Worries all cease; He gives me peace.

How can I fear with Jesus?

Let us take comfort that there is no tragedy we will face, no hardship we will endure and no adversity we will encounter where God is not with us, steadily holding us up with his mighty hand. This is why people find God in the midst of their pain and adversity. C.S. Lewis once said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience but shouts in our pain."

Lionel

Ref 1: Timothy Keller, Walking With God through Pain and Suffering. Hodder and Stoughton Ltd, 2015 

A Wicked Problem

"In those days when your pray, I will listen.If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you" Jeremiah 29:12-13

A wicked problem is defined as 'a problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognise. It refers to a problem that cannot be fixed, where there is no single solution to the problem. The adjective 'wicked' denotes resistance to resolution rather than evil.' Ref 1

These days of the Covid-19 virus pandemic are unprecedented times. More than 187 countries and governments are navigating through life threatening and economy devastating realities. Recently the World Health Organisation stated that the virus will not go away; the whole world has to live with it and come out with work around solutions to save lives and livelihood. It has become a 'Thorn in the Flesh' for many a country and government. 

What about us personally? There are times when we will face with intractable problems. Some will face failures in business, others have family quarrels, some are out of work for a long time and still others have illnesses without cures. These wicked problems weigh heavily on our hearts and spirits. There appears to be no end in sight.

The Bible acknowledges that in this life, we will have problems. Old testament history tell of the struggles of the Israelite in times of famine, living in deserts and wilderness, oppressed by conquerors. But they remained God's people and God never left them. Oddly the Bible tells us to learn to live through these difficult times. James in his epistle said, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance have a chance to grow."  James 1: 2-3

Peter said, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and honour on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:7

So, we are to endure suffering with cheerfulness, take it with a sense of humour and carry on with life. Aristotle observed, "Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness not through insensibility but through greatness of mind." Aristotle also said, 'It is during our darkest moment that we must focus on the light' 

Indeed we are encouraged by Psalms 27:1 'The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?'

YouVersion published a 7 days devotional entitled Good News: Encouragement for a World in Crisis. It has this advice for us: When we remember who God is and what He's done, we'll be more likely to walk with hope when things are threatening to overwhelm us. What we fill ourselves up with everyday is important. 

• When we fill our minds with the truth from God's Word, we'll become so acquainted with it that when we're faced with something that isn't true, we'll know

• When we worship God through song or praise Him while looking at His creation, it'll build our spirits and lift our focus from the daily trials we face

• When we walk through life with like-minded followers of Jesus, there's built in encouragement for us in our experiences with them (Ref 2)  

Isaiah 40:31 'But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not be weary they will walk and not faint.' God says 'Walk with Me.'

Lionel

Ref 1: Wikipedia
Ref 2: YouVersion Good News:Encouragement for a World in Crisis