Gift Of Grief

God never uses anyone greatly until He tests them deeply.
- A. W. Tozer

Gift Of Grief

Psalms in the Night…

With so many wonderful Biblical promises and powerful examples of God's interaction with mankind, see Psalms of Delight, Psalms in the Night are a way of exploring and sharing some of the difficult and challenging thoughts, feelings and experiences God's people encounter while endeavoring to fully enjoy His presence and power, protection and provision. In ever more genuine and meaningful ways. For themselves and their children, family and friends.

Psalms in the Night are written in concert with Psalms of Delight. Both series contain Modern Psalms meant to comfort and inspire those seeking the Omni-God revealed in Scripture.

Gift Of Grief Summary

Not everything is as it seems. In fact, from a truly Biblical world view almost nothing is. We seek what we should run from and vice versa. Quantumly, poverty is wealth, suffering a privilege, etc. Many forms of grief may even be a gift from God, refining the faithful and chastising the rebellious. Yet while Scripture teaches that it's worldly sorrow that kills and godly sorrow that gives life, it often doesn't feel that way.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:2 NKJV

Gift Of Grief
Modern Psalm in the Night 16

I woke this morning with a heavy heart and mind. All par for the course for several decades now given the downward spiral of events in my own life and that of others I know and love. The high orbit I once enjoyed with You continues to decay, even against the boosters of tens of thousands of hours of prayer and devotion, study and service. Although I often sense my engines almost coming back on line, to date all my best efforts seem to do little to slow my decent.

With the help of some key errors in judgment made by trusted friends and colleagues, gravity continues plunging my family, ministry and career ever downward. Contrary to my planning, I've joined the ranks of tortured and troubled souls. In the words of the movie Princes Bride it's "inconceivable." I never wanted to be "that guy" or imagined I'd be living the life I live. Mores so than most, from a young adult I put Your advice into practice:

"A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered. The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life." Proverbs 22:3-4 MSG

A paraphrase of the first half of that verse aways stuck in my head, "A wise man foresees difficulties and plans ahead. The foolish fails to do so and suffers the consequences." Surprisingly, though I've been faithful to plan ahead, others never bothering to take the time skip by unscathed. What I failed to appreciate, and don't appreciate much at the moment, is that problems and pain are predicted for all those who obey You because of having done so! A little known fact left off modern recruiting posters, though admittedly it's stated repeatedly in the fine print of Your handbook:

"Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived." 2 Timothy 3:12-13

"Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is." 2 Timothy 2:8-13

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin." Hebrews 12:1-4

“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!" Matthew 10:24-25

"I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." John 16:33 MSG

"For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." James 5:10-11

Through Hell to Heaven

I could easily list a hundred passages issuing similar warnings. Mentally, I understand with "Heaven to gain and Hell to loose" the end's justify the means. I see Job was blessed more at his end than the beginning. I envy his honored place in human history as the patriarch of patience. But to be Job, or suffer even a fraction of what he suffered, is an entirely different matter. It's one thing to appreciate a play from the balcony, knowing who dun-nit and why. It's another thing altogether to suffer in silent darkness awaiting Godot to appear.

I recognize Your grace in recording Job's trial in Scripture, answering his prayer, "If only my words were written in a book—better yet, chiseled in stone!" I value that even Jeremiah's terrible lament eventually vindicates You, "Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow." I treasure the words of the great prophet Isaiah, particularly his promise that those who look to You will be rewarded:

"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind." Isaiah 40:27-31 MSG

I'm also cognizant of the fact that for all his trouble Isaiah was rewarded by Your own people by being sawn in half. All of which illustrates my point. It's very discouraging to go through Hell to get to Heaven. Of course, there's plenty of explanations. There's sin, self and Satan to blame. Then Scripture tells of a Trial to end all trials taking place in the Supreme Court of Creation where humanity's fate hangs in the balance as we face an ever growing list of the Devil's accusations. Earth's already a cosmic battleground, and with the angelic war ready to breakout in Heaven, it's about to get exponentially worse.

Facing such obstacles one would think everyone would run to You for cover, yet fewer and fewer do. Creator and Savior, You're not willing that any should perish, yet truth be told most seem to be. We've got quite a conundrum. The more You bless, the more we take for granted. The more entitled we become, the more we grieve Your Spirit. The more we rebel, the more our hearts are hardened. The more insensitive we grow, the less Christians are willing to intercede and wrestle a blessing from You.

No wonder Scripture directs "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Developing and discharging a functional Biblical world view is quite the challenge. Perhaps this explains why so few area willing to try. As Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, "He's not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount fear." Of course, ignoring or denying fear is not the same as using or overcoming it. Godly fear's "the beginning of wisdom," driving us to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide under the shadow of the Almighty." It teaches us to "number our days," being "fearfully and wonderfully made." Spurring us on to "love and good deeds," godly fear compels us to keep asking, seeking and knocking until You "rend the heavens and come down."

Because of the unfathomable price paid by Christ for our atonement, You're able to offer help and advice to those of us born in the midst of a spiritual hurricane spawning a tsunami of immorality and worse. Among Your many directives are repeated encouragements to give thanks. Too numerous to recite, one passage drives the point home:

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22

These succinct verses have long drawn my attention. Particularly the part dealing with giving thanks for everything. I'm pretty thankful for modern blessings, like grocery stores, particularly when billions face difficulty and need. The problem is, even for those of who are rich in comparison, life's still filled with sorrow and grief, pain and death, which places giving thanks "for everything" somewhere between hard to impossible.

You must know how ridiculous and even repulsive this sounds. The idea of being thankful for suffering or harm seems to add insult to injury. Yet You sound pretty adamant, "give thanks for everything... for this is the will of God... in Christ Jesus... for you."

Strange Wrapping Paper

On the other hand, it would be a shame to miss a great gift because of its strange wrapping paper. Particularly since suffering and loss is such an intrinsic part of life. And though any gift derived from grief seems hard to appreciate, it's important to bare in mind that You are God. The One and Only. At best we have fleeting, limited points of view while You alone have View! Further we have both the example of Christ's suffering and His Heavenly intercession to consider:

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him." Hebrews 5:7-9

"...Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God... because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven... The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever." Hebrews 7:23-28

Then there's the examples of Your apostles during a period of great distress. Imperfect prior to Pentecost, they became the embodiment of all Your Kingdom stands for. Icons of faith and thanksgiving during times of trouble and persecution, their testimony echos down through the ages. One passage summarizing their attitude and teaching bears repeating:

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2-4 MSG

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 NIV

"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 has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4 New Living

I like aspects of all three translations. They combine to paint an incredible picture. These and many other Scriptures suggest an "out of this world" world view that receives all that life has to offer with gladness. Even in their darkest hour Your apostles modeled a miraculous power over every circumstance, from poverty to persecution. Marking them as New Creations indeed!

Once an enemy of church, Paul's so powerfully converted and filled with Your Spirit that even shackled at midnight in the depths of a dungeon he literally praises the doors open and chains from off the captive's wrists! Freed, he time and agains chose to be a "prisoner of Christ" though it meant five times being beaten to within a lash of his life. Hundreds of scars to his credit, not to mention a portfolio filled with amazing revelations, when he directs us to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" I imagine he speaks from experience.

I'm thankful that James goes on to assure us that You welcome requests by those who lack wisdom. I'm glad You realize how often we feel tossed by waves of pain and doubt. I'm grateful the Bible's full of the life stories of those who through prayer and perseverance overcame the giant obstacles they faced.

Still I'm troubled that so many of us lack not only wisdom but the joy that turns victims into victors. Millions, if not billions, feel more like we're walking a tightrope rather than in the kind of "power, love and disciplined mind" our heros enjoyed. Hoping for the Sonlight of Your love, too many of us are living out our lives under a long dark shadow of sorrow.

Teach us how best to approach You. Fill and direct us like You did the great men and women of old. Answer their prayers in us, like that of Paul who asked that we might be filled, "with all the fullness of God." Let those who've long sought You be struck with Heaven's lightning, suddenly overflowing with Your presence, power and protection. Fulfill in our lives the beautiful prophecy of Isaiah, the very text You chose for Christ's preaching debut:

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations." Isaiah 61:1-4

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