14 January 2014 - behind the scenes

14 January 2014 - behind the scenes


We all suffer.  Hannah knows this.  The man tormented by the unclear spirit knows this.  And even if our pain is less dramatic we know it as well.  We are constantly confronted with the fact that God allows sin, suffering, and sorrow to exist in this world he creates and sustains.  And every single moment we have the opportunity to choose to trust him in spite of this.  He says that all things work together for our good if we love him and are called according to his purpose.  Do we believe him?  Do we trust that behind what we can see and feel something is happening which gives meaning to all of the suffering?

God's grace allows Hannah to realize that her blessings are not really hers.  They are the LORD's.  She is therefore made able to offer back to the LORD the blessings which he eventually bestows upon her.

In her bitterness she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously,
and she made a vow, promising: “O LORD of hosts,
if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid,
if you remember me and do not forget me,
if you give your handmaid a male child,
I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives;
neither wine nor liquor shall he drink,
and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

In addition to the transformation which God can bring about in us through suffering it is also a way in which he reveals his power to the world.

All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

So many people talk about suffering.  They philosophize about it.  They posit solutions which are at best partial.  Suffering literally flees from the voice of Jesus.  His voice is the only voice which can even command unclean spirits.  But this brings us full circle.  If he has this authority why does suffering continue to exist in the world?  We only begin to grasp this mystery as we watch him go to the cross.  If he cries out the angels will come and deliver him.  He lays down his life, no one takes it from him.  But he chooses this way of love for our sakes.  And we, as servants, are no greater than our master.  

“The LORD puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he humbles, he also exalts.”

On the third day we hear his voice again, full of authority even over death itself.  Somehow going through this has allowed him to make a deeper and more meaningful change.  Those who, through fear of death were slaves their whole life long, are now free (cf. Heb. 2:15). Simply avoiding this death would ultimately be a failure, something much less than what he actually does.  It is only through the cross that his victory is won.

“My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.”
This is how "Death is swallowed up in victory" (cf. 1 Cor. 15:54).  Let us learn to trust Jesus even when times are tough.  If we trust in him we can be assured that we too will rejoice in his victory.