Sovereignty, Suffering, and Sanctification

This is one of the best books I’ve read on suffering and the sovereignty of God: Is God Really in Control by Jerry Bridges.  This book is outstanding because it is so very biblical, pastoral, and practical.  You won’t find a detailed philosophical discussion of theodicy in these pages, but you will find hope, comfort, and encouragement in the sovereignty of God’s love in Christ.  As always, Bridges writes in a straightforward manner that most Christians can understand – there are no ambiguous trendy adjectives (such as community-driven authenticity) nor are there lame attempts at “hipness” (such as numerous references to indie bands and organic beer).  You can give this book to a 60-year-old Christian going through a trial or a newly married husband and wife grieving over a miscarriage.  This is truly a book for the church.

Here are a couple of highlights from the book:

“In order to trust God, we must always view our adverse circumstances through the eyes of faith, not of sense.  …We must shape our vision of God by the Bible, not by our experiences” (p. 19 & 35).

“God never wastes pain.  He always uses it to accomplish his purpose.  And his purpose is for his glory and our good.  Therefore we can trust him when our hearts are aching or our bodies are racked with pain” (p. 65).

“We must depend upon God to do for us to do what we cannot do for ourselves.  We must, to the same degree, depend on him to enable us to do what we must do for ourselves” (p. 75).

“The good that God works for us in our lives is conformity to the likeness of his Son (Rom. 8:28-30).  So, his good is not necessarily our present comfort or happiness but rather conformity to Christ in ever-increasing measure for eternity” (p. 85).

“In adversity we tend to doubt God’s fatherly care, but in prosperity we tend to forget it.  If we are to trust God, we must acknowledge our dependence upon him at all times, good times as well as bad times” (p. 131).

This would be a great book for small group study or for personal study.  There are a few helpful questions for reflection at the end of each chapter (each chapter is around 15 pages long).  In fact, thinking about it a bit more, since there are ten chapters I’d recommend using it for a ten week discussion group on God’s sovereignty and our suffering.  Right now at the WTS bookstore it is only $5.20.  (I already ordered a copy for a friend who is going through adversity.)  Even if you’re not going through a trial right now, you no doubt have been through one or certainly will go through one.  When the dark valleys in life come, this book will help you keep your eyes on the Lord and strengthen your trust in his Word.

Jerry Bridges, Is God Really In Control?  Trusting God in a World of Hurt (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2006).

rev shane lems

Keeping the Heart In Time of Adversity

In this great little book, Keeping the Heart, John Flavel (d. 1691) gives an exposition and application of Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”  After explaining how “keeping the heart” means fighting sin and staying close to the Lord, Flavel applies the text to specific seasons in the Christian life – seasons which require extra diligence in keeping the heart (for example, times of prosperity, need, danger, trial, temptation etc.).

Here’s an edited summary of Flavel’s instructions in keeping the heart during times of adversity, times when providence frowns upon us and troubles are intense.

1) Consider that in these adverse providences God is faithfully pursuing the great design of electing love upon the souls of his people, and he orders all these afflictions as means sanctified to that end.  Afflictions come not by casualty or chance, but by God’s counsel (Is. 27:9, Heb. 12:10, Rom. 8:28).

2) Remember that though God has the liberty to afflict his people with fatherly discipline, he is bound to his covenantal oath and promise to never take away his loving kindness from them.  Though does discipline us, he does not forsake us (2 Sam. 7:14).

3) In order to keep your heart, remember that your heavenly Father orders adversity.  Not a creature moves hand or tongue against thee but by his permission.  The cup may be bitter, but since the Father gave it to you, it is not filled with poison, but medicine.

4) Don’t forget that God loves you when you are at your best and when you are at your worst.  He ordinarily manifests more of his love, grace, and tenderness in the time of affliction than in the time of prosperity.  As God did not at first choose you because you were high, he will not now forsake you because you are low.

5) Ponder how God can remove your earthly comforts to keep your soul from temptation.  Love of earthly comforts have made many forsake Christ.  Just like seamen throw valuable goods overboard during a storm to save their lives, so God sometimes throws our worldly comforts overboard to save our lives during a storm, as it were.

6) To help keep your heart during adversity, consider the fact that humbling adversities are accomplishing that which you have prayed for a long time.  If you have prayed for humility, detachment from the world, mortification of lusts, and if you have prayed that your heart might only find rest and enjoyment in Christ, remember that God brings adversity as a way to answer our prayers for these things.

7) Remember that in God’s secret counsel, these troubles and adversities are part of his sovereign plan for your life as his child.  If we could only remember that God has decreed even the smallest things in our life, it would help us make it through adversity.  Providence is like a curious piece of tapestry made of a thousand shreds, which, single, appear useless, but put together, they represent a beautiful history to the eye.

8) Usually, during adversity, our fretting and discontentment hurt us more than the trial does.  Affliction is a pill, which, being wrapped up in patience and quiet submission, may be easily swallowed; but discontent chews the pill, and so embitters the soul.

9) Never forget that you deserve to suffer far worse adversity than you are currently facing.  We deserve eternal hell for our sins, but God in Christ is merciful, and the only pain his people have to suffer is nothing like hell – it is fatherly discipline that lasts only for a short time.

Again, I’ve summarized Flavel’s slightly more detailed explanations.  Also, in case you were wondering, he used more Scripture in his application that I’ve given above.  Though Flavel isn’t the easiest puritan to read, this book is short enough that it isn’t overwhelming.  And in it there is some amazing, faith-strengthening, and biblically saturated encouragement to “keep your heart” through tough times in the Christian life.  Highly recommended!

Here’s the full citation: John Flavel, Keeping the Heart (Ross-Shire: Christian Focus Publications, 2012), 41ff.

shane lems

One Great Blessing of Affliction

In 1737 the great Puritan Thomas Boston published a treatise on affliction called The Crook in the Lot (which Christian Focus republished several times in a nice booklet).  Below is a section I appreciated that explains one great “use” of the crook in the lot (that is, affliction in the Christian’s “lot,” or life).  I’ve edited it to make it easier to read.

“The truth is that the crook in the lot  (affliction) is the great engine of Providence for making men appear in their true colors, discovering both their weaknesses and strengths.  And if the grace of God is in a person, the crook will bring it out and cause it to display itself.  Affliction does put the Christian under a heavy burden, so that he staggers under it for a while, but in time it will show the reality and strength of grace in him (1 Peter 1:6-7).”

“The crook in the lot gives rise to many acts of faith, hope, love, self-denial, resignation, and other graces.  It gives rise to many heavenly sighs, groanings, and prayers which otherwise would not be made to God.  These graces most certainly are more precious to God than we are aware of, even though unbelievers think they are worthless.  These graces that the crook in the lot gives rise to are part of our spiritual worship.  In the long run, these graces pressed out by affliction will become evident even though the one being afflicted might think of them as insignificant.”

“The unified and steady movement of cavalry and infantry to destroy the enemy is prized, but the acting of holy fear and humble hope is far more valuable in the sight of God, whose judgement is truth.  As the Psalmist says, ‘He does not delight in the strength of the horse, nor does he take pleasure in the legs of a man.  The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy’ (Ps. 147: 10-11).”

Those are beautiful words that reflect God’s sovereign love for his people in and through affliction and suffering.  A Christian’s trial is not pointless; our suffering is not meaningless.  God – as our Father in Christ – sends us affliction for several reasons.  One great reason God gives Christians a “crook in the lot” is to sanctify us by cultivating the precious fruit of the Spirit in us and causing us to cry out to him in prayer more and more.  Indeed, as Job said, “When he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23.10).

(By the way, though The Crook in the Lot is outstanding, it is not easy to read.  I’d only recommend it if you’re familiar with Puritan writings and/or if you’re familiar with very old English – or if you want an end of summer reading challenge!)

shane lems

sunnyside wa

Heavenly Mindedness in the Early Church

When Cyprian (d. 258 AD) wrote to Christians who were being persecuted, one thing he told them (among many) was to keep their eyes fixed on heaven. Perhaps with Hebrews 11 in the background, Cyprian told fellow believers to stand firm in the Christian faith and focus on the life to come. Here are a few examples of his pastoral call to heavenly mindedness.

“The one peaceful and trustworthy tranquility, the one solid and firm and constant security, is this, for a man to withdraw from these eddies of a distracting world, and, anchored on the ground of the harbor of salvation, to lift his eyes from earth to heaven.”

“Let us not look to things which are behind, whither the devil calls us back, but to the things which are before, whither Christ calls us. Let us lift up our eyes to heaven, lest the earth with its delights and enticements deceive us.”

“But we who live in hope, and believe in God, and trust that Christ suffered for us and rose again, abiding in Christ, and through him and in him rising again, why either are we ourselves unwilling to depart hence from this life, or do we bewail and grieve for our friends when they depart as if they were lost, when Christ himself our Lord and God encourages us and says, ‘I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he die, yet shall live; and whoever liveth and believeth in me shall not die eternally?’ If we believe in Christ, let us have faith in his words and promises; and since we shall not die eternally, let us come with a glad security unto Christ, with whom we are both to conquer and to reign for ever.”

“We should consider…that we are…living here as guests and strangers. Who that has been placed in foreign lands would not hasten to return to his own country? Who that is hastening to return to his friends would not eagerly desire a prosperous gale, that he might sooner embrace those dear to him?”

These – and many other such excellent quotes – are found in the letters and treatises of Cyprian. You can read these in The Ante Nicene Fathers, volume 5, pages 279, 287, and 473f.

shane lems

The Sweetness of Tears

 Sometimes Christians forget the sweetness that can exist along with the bitterness of tears.  Because we live in a culture that focuses on entertainment, instant amusement, glamor, fame, and popularity, it is easy for us to jump on the bandwagon by doing our best to avoid tears, pain, and sorrow.  Everyone is searching for happiness and trying to get rid of tears.  So we turn to pills, personal trainers, makeovers, religion, sex, drink, and drugs (the list goes on) to try to attain happiness.  Of course there is a longing in every human heart for happiness because sin (in us and “out there”) has left humans an unhappy bunch.  What about tears?  Should we avoid them at all costs?  Why did Jesus say, Blessed are those who mourn and Blessed are you who weep now?  Below are some points made by Thomas Watson in The Beatitudes, as he discussed Matthew 5.4.

“1) Sin must have tears.  While we carry the fire of sin about us, we must carry the water of tears to quench it (Ezek. 7.16).  We have in  our hearts the seed of the unpardonable sin.  And shall we not mourn?  He that does not mourn has surely lost the use of his reason.

2) Gospel-mourning [the weeping of repentance] is spontaneous and free (it is not forced).  It is spiritual, that is, we mourn for sin more than suffering. 

3) Gospel-mourning sends the soul to God.  Evangelical mourning is a spur to prayer.  Gospel tears must drop from the eye of faith.  Our disease must make us mourn, but when we look up to our Physician, who has made a plaister of his own blood, we must not mourn without hope.  Believing tears are precious.  When the clouds of sorrow have over-cast the soul, some sunshine of faith must break forth.  Though our tears drop to the earth, our faith must reach heaven.

4) Gospel-mourning is joined with self-loathing.  The sinner admires himself.  The penitent lathes himself (Ezek. 20:43).  Gospel-mourning must be purifying.  We must not only mourn but turn.  ‘Turn to Me with weeping’ (Joel 2.12).  We must not only abstain from sin and weep over it, we must also abhor it.

5) Tears cannot be put to a better use.  The brinish water of repenting tears will help to kil that worm of sin which should gnaw the conscience.  Gospel-mourning is an evidence of grace.  Weeping for sin is a sign of the new birth.

6) Repentant tears are precious.  Tears dropping from a mournful, penitent eye, are like water dropping from the roses, very sweet and precious to God.  That heart is most delightful to God which has a fountain of sorrow running in it.  ‘Mary stood at Christ’s feet weeping’ (Lk 7.38).  Her tears were more fragrant than her ointment.  God delights much in tears, else he would not keep a bottle and a book for them (Ps 56.8).  Tears, though they are silent, yet have a voice (Ps 6.8).  David who was the greatest mourner in Israel was the sweet swinger in Israel.  My tears were my food (Ps 42.3).  Ambrose gives this gloss: ‘No food so sweet as tears!’  Bernard says ‘The tears of the repentant are sweeter than all worldly joy.’

7) Tears line the road to the New Jerusalem.  Perhaps a man may think, ‘If I cannot mourn for sin, I will get to heaven some other way.  I will go to church, I will give alms, I will lead a civil life.’  No, but I tell you there is but one way to blessedness, and that is through the Valley of Tears.  ‘I tell you, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish’ (Lk 13.3).

8) Christian tears will eventually end.  It is only a while that we shall weep.  After a few showers fall from our eyes, we shall have perpetual sunshine.  God shall wipe away all tears (Rev. 7.17).  When sin shall cease, tears shall cease.  ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’ (Ps. 30.5).”

There are other reasons why Christians weep, to be sure.  I appreciate Watson’s perspective here because he gives us a good biblical way to view tears of repentance.  They don’t save us nor do they wash away our sins, but they do have a place in our pilgrimage.  So Christian weeping truly is bittersweet: bitter because it has to do with sin and sweet because it has to do with faith in Jesus the Savior.

The above quotes are slightly edited and abbreviated.  You can find the full discussion in chapters 6-10 of Thomas Watson’s The Beatitudes.

shane lems