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

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns." Rev 19:6

Five years ago, the Hallelujah! Chorus, presented by 300 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir combined with over 2,000 voices worldwide brought Charles Wesley's opening sentence 'O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing' into sharp focus. 

The resounding sound of many voices singing 'Hallelujah' in Hebrew or 'Alleluia' in Greek which is 'Praise The Lord' is just wonderful to the ears! 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world

Is become the kingdom of our Lord

And of His Christ, and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And He shall reign for ever and ever

For ever and ever, forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (King of kings and Lord of lords)

And He shall reign

And He shall reign

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever)

And He shall reign (Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

And He shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever

Forever and ever

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Handel was probably thinking of the heavenly chorus of praise mentioned in Revelations. And yes! Let the praises and lyrics be repetitive, overflowing, loud and joyful. The same litany of praises can be found in the Book of Psalms. There are 150 Psalms of which 14 or nearly 10% has Praise the Lord as the first sentence; many more are found in the verses. 

'Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.' Psalm 103:1

'Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty.' Psalm 104:1 

'Praise the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.' Psalm 106:1

'Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.' Psalm 111:1

'Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands.' Psalm 112:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you His servants; praise the name of the Lord' Psalm 113:1

'Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.' Psalm 117:1

'Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who ministers by night in the house of the Lord.' Psalm 134:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, you servants of the Lord.' Psalm 135:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul.' Psalm 146:1

'Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!' Psalm 147:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.' Psalm 148:1

'Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His people.' Psalm 149:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.' Psalm 150:1

The psalms instruct us on the how, who, why and where for praising God. We should praise God from the depths of our souls with the voices of praise that are exuberant and refreshing.

Yet in these days of texting on mobile phones we have reduced this exuberance to a trite PTL. Using just the acronym PTL texted in a perfunctory manner is insincere and may even be disrespectful. In the light of the energy of the Hallelujah Chorus one should take umbrage at reducing this praise to three letters - PTL. Let us not allow it to enter the Christian vocabulary. 

By contrast the same means of modern virtual communications can afford us a different outcome. Not to be cowed by the Covid restrictions to public singing many have circumvented these restrictions by doing virtual choir presentations. Many choirs have now taken to singing praises in the virtual space with voices being recorded individually then stitched together digitally. 

Unable to sing and play together physically and in public, hundreds and thousands of singers and musicians found alternative solutions to harmonise their praises. Here is a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus now completely in the digital space. 

These productions will enable us to shout out the words Hallelujah! and Praise The Lord! joyfully at bleak and oppressive times. The greatness of God, the sacrifice of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit should leave us not only astounded but with such sincere gratitude that we will let out a spontaneous, Alleluia!

Digital communications have allowed us to demonstrate Charles Wesley's intentions and inspiration when he wrote a thousand tongues will sing.

Like the psalmists, Charles had much to praise God. On the 21 May 1738, Charles was taken ill with pneumonia. On that day a group of friends took turns taking care of him. He was deeply affected by the love and care shown him by these Christians. After recovery, he wrote in his journal counting this experience as a renewal of his faith, Charles' heartwarming experience. 

His brother John Wesley had the same experience on 24 May 1738. John went on to found the Methodist movement. Charles went on to write a 14 stanza hymn expressing his great joy O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing and he became famous as a great hymn writer.

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great redeemer's praise

The glories of my God and King

The triumphs of His grace

Jesus! the name that charms our fears

That bids our sorrows cease

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of cancelled sin

He sets the prisoner free

His blood can make the foulest clean

His blood availed for me

He speaks and listening to His voice

New life the dead receive

The mournful broken hearts rejoice

The humble poor believe

Hear him ye deaf; His praise ye dumb

Your loosened tongues employ

Ye blind behold your saviour comes

And leap ye lame for joy!

My gracious Master and my God

Assist me to proclaim

And spread through all the earth abroad

The honours of Thy name

Truly, when we praise God, our spirits are renewed and our lives revived! Praise the Lord!

Lionel

Too Much Sanity Is Madness

2001 Pat and Lionel at La Mancha

'If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.' James 4:17 

In a 2009 article of the Singapore Straits Times, prominent neurologist Dr Lee Wei Ling wrote about her attempts to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland. It was done in bad weather. After accomplishing the feat and drenched many hours later, Wei Ling  herself sought an answer as to why she made the climb. She wrote if asked, her answer would be, 'For some people, it takes a streak of insanity to make life worth living.' 

Reading this article, I am reminded of the Broadway musical ‘The Man of La Mancha’, relating the story of Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes. The novel, Don Quixote, is a satirical commentary of early 17th Century Spain which was under the yoke of the Spanish Inquisition. At that time, the tyranny of the ruling classes and the Church, severely put down the working classes and limited any freedom of expression. For years no one dared speak out against the brutalities, social oppression and injustices that occurred in that period. Cervantes bravely wrote this novel against the oppression of society.

Don Quixote relates the comical adventures of a schizophrenic old country gentleman from La Mancha, a district near Madrid. He donned a makeshift knight errand’s armour and went about the countryside correcting imaginary wrongs, fighting imaginary dragons and rescuing imaginary damsels in distress. The novel became an instant hit. It is arguably the best written novel for all times. 

Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza have become the icons of Spain. It gave rise to the word ‘quixotic’ which stands for behavior that is noble in an absurd way. Cervantes made a statement that individuals can be right while whole societies can be quite wrong and disenchanting. Such individuals should gather the courage to speak up for what is right even if it is sheer madness to do so. 

History relates many examples of individuals who, stricken by a new social conscience brought about revolutionary changes in society. One sterling example was the abolishment of slavery, through the strong social actions of men like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp and Abraham Lincoln. 

As a Methodist, I am proud that many historians acknowledged the new social conscience, brought on by the growth of Methodism which corrected many injustices in 18th century England and America. John Wesley is popularly remembered as the itinerant evangelist and open air preacher and the gospel he preached inspired people to take up social causes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Nearer home, my sister in law Maureen Fung, realised that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the taxi drivers at the taxi stand near her flat waited for many hours without getting any passengers. So, Maureen went down from her high rise apartment gave to each driver a $50 bill from the relief package she received from government. An odd, quixotic thing to do?

The Book of James strongly argues that faith needs to give rise to social conscience, social concerns and social action. 

'Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.'  James Chap 2:15-17 and 4:17

John Stott (Ref 1) narrated a story of a homeless woman who turns to a country vicar for help but he in turn, promised to pray for her. She later wrote this poem, 

'I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.

 I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

 I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless, and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. 

You seem so holy, so close to God but I am still very hungry – and lonely – and cold.

Sometimes, it may appear to be madness to try to effect any change. To make the rational decision for inaction and omission may appear to be a sane thing to do for many. Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation." We lead lives of quiet desperation when we resigned ourselves to the status quo. 

In the Man of La Mancha, there is stirring song, The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest,

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless,

No matter how far.

To fight for the right

Without question or pause,

To be willing to march

Into hell for a heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

And one man, sore and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To fight the unbeatable foe

To reach the unreachable star

'Too much sanity is madness and the maddest thing of all is to view life as it is and not as it should be.' It pays to be mad sometimes. 

Lionel 

Ref 1: John Stott “Issues Facing Christians Today. Marshalls Paperback, 1984.

Updated. 1st published 26 June 2009

No Greater Love

1993 Pat and Lionel at The Alamo

'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.' John 15:13

The Ultimate Sacrifice and the Greatest Love.

The first time I understood Ultimate Sacrifice was when I watched the 1960 movie The Alamo. This blockbuster movie was produced and directed by John Wayne, who also acted as David Crockett and Richard Widmark played the role of Jim Bowie. I was most impressed by the embittered character Lieutenant-Colonel William Travis, played by Laurence Harvey, who was the commanding officer. He had a very difficult task to defend against an overwhelming force and against all odds; a difficult choice to make to stand his ground and not withdraw or surrender.  

At the Battle of the Alamo, 185 Texans, Tennesseans, Mexicans and others defended the Spanish Catholic Mission and Fortress at San Antonio against 5000 troops of the Mexican Army led by the dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna. After a 13 days siege, despite the brave defense put up by the Americans, the Mexican Army breached the wall and a brutal slaughter of all 185 men ensued. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice, they laid down their lives in the fight for the independence of Texas. 

 The Ballad of the Alamo extol their bravery and their ultimate sacrifice.

   

But the Battle of the Alamo was not a wasted carnage. It delayed the Mexican advance and bought sufficient time for General Sam Houston to raise an army, eventually to defeat Santa Anna and secured the independence of Texas. Under the rallying cry 'Remember the Alamo' the Texans recognised the sacrifice of these man to establish their State.

I was 10 years old when I watched the movie but two scenes made an indelible mark on me. Somehow each scene allowed me to draw lessons of values and virtues which I could apply when I became a Christian several years later. 

The first scene was when LTC Travis drew a line on the sand of the old fort with his sabre having realised the foregone conclusion of the battle. He asked any person wanting to withdraw, escape or surrender to Mexican army, to step across that line. Not one of the 185 men walked across. They all chose to stay at fight even though they knew it was going to be certain death for them.

Centuries earlier another commander, Joshua had thrown down the same challenge. Joshua challenged the Israelites,

 'But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.' Joshua 24:15

Like that line in the sand, it was a pivotal choice to make. The Israelites like the Texans made the right choice, they replied Joshua "Be it far from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!" Joshua 24:16. 

This challenge is a fundamental choice all Christians need to make very early in their belief and conversion. There is no turning back.

The second scene was the closing sequence of the movie. Mrs Sue Dickinson, wife of the artillery officer, placed her daughter on a donkey and slowly out of the Alamo, one of the few survivors. As mother and daughter passed by the slain men strewn on the grounds of the Alamo, the soldiers of Santa Anna's army stood up and saluted. It was a very sad yet poignant moment. A lovely song the  'Green Leaves of Summer' sung by the Brothers Four played in the background recounting precious moments of life including the time to die.

A time to be reaping

A time to be sowing

A time just for living

A place for to die

Twas so good to be young then

To be close to the earth

Now the green leaves of summer

Are calling me home

It was the time of men laying down their lives so that others may live. Jesus Christ also spoke of this ultimate sacrifice,

'Greater love has no one more than this: to lay down his life for his brother.' John 15:13

The sacrifice at the Alamo is relevant but Jesus Christ was speaking about an even greater love, an even greater sacrifice - His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. Because of His great love for all men, Jesus suffered a gruesome death to pay for the sins of men. Jesus laid down his life to save us from our sins - the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus died so that we can live - The Greatest Love.

'Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.     This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son (Jesus) as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.' 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 4:10

Christianity is born of the sacrifice and the blood of Jesus Christ.

In 1993, Pat and I visited The Alamo. We went not as tourists; it was more like a pilgrimage to honour the 185 men, to think of their sacrifice and to stand silently where they were slain. It was evening and the sun was setting as it was when Travis drew that line in the sand. 

In that serenity, we made a silent family prayer and rededicated our lives - 'As For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord.'

Lionel