Pastor Steve's Recent Weekly Letter
Pastor Steve's Weekly Letter for Thursday, January 16, 2020
On Tuesday night, a friend of mine died suddenly and unexpectedly. David Thommen was working out in a gym in Portland, Oregon when he collapsed from an apparent heart attack. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was only 50. When I received the news yesterday morning, I was stunned because I had an online face-to-face phone conversation with him just a few hours before he died (late Tuesday afternoon). David was my colleague at Western Seminary in Portland. As you know, I spend a few hours each week (mainly evenings or on my day off) leading the Doctor of Ministry program at Western Seminary. I make the big picture decisions, while David handled all the day-to-day administrative tasks. This works because our students are pastors and Christian leaders all over the country. They come to campus about three weeks each year. During our conversation, David was upbeat and looked good. I had no clue that he had only hours to live.
Sudden death or unexpected tragedy have a way of raising the age-old “why” question. Why did God let this bad thing happen to one of his children? But God does not give us a reason. Instead, he promises that he is good and that he is our refuge, strength and ever-present help in trouble. Our impulse to find the answer for our suffering leads us down a bad road—away from the grace of God. We forget God’s grace when we assume that a bad thing happened to us because we did something wrong. We also forget God’s grace when we get angry at God because we believe we didn’t deserve the tragedy that struck. In either case, we are acting as if we get good or bad circumstances based on whether our behavior has been good or bad. Of course, Proverbs tells us that certain lifestyles have predictable outcomes. Righteous people tend to be blessed; fools are heading down a path of destruction. However, both our justification and our sanctification are by the grace of God. We know that we are justified—that is, given a right standing before God—by his grace (Romans 3:212-26; 5:1-2). Yet we often live as though our sanctification—our growth in holiness—depends on behavior rather than on the grace of God. However, Scripture is clear that God’s grace, not fear of punishment, teaches us to live godly lives (Titus 2:11-12).
The book of Job helps us think rightly about our suffering, even though it never explains why the righteous suffer. Rather, the book of Job declares that the way to respond to unfair suffering is to trust the wisdom of God (see Job 28). The reason we must trust in God’s wisdom rather than demanding explanations is because God’s ways are beyond our understanding and our control (see Job 38-41). As Tim Keller says, “Just because you can’t see or imagine a good reason why God would allow something bad to happen doesn’t mean there can’t be one.” God does not give us explanations because explanations cannot heal broken hearts. Only God’s promises can bring us to a place of trust and healing.
What I’m sharing today is especially important for you if you are not in a season of tragedy or loss. It’s better to gain a clear, biblical perspective before tragedy strikes than during it. Then, when we face incredible sorrow, we can respond based on good theology—that is, a proper understanding of God and the ways he works in our lives. This does not mean we will be free from moments of anger or doubt or despair. However, we will be quicker to abandon our impulse to blame God or blame ourselves. Yesterday, when I got the news that my friend and colleague died, I turned immediately to Scripture. I found great comfort in Psalm 46 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Then I went to the office next door and shared my sorrow with Pastor Rick, and he prayed for me. I thank God for his wisdom, his love, his justice, his grace, his goodness, and his promises. That’s where we turn in times of trial and loss.
This Sunday, January 19, Pastor Brad will continue our series on The Storyline of the Bible by preaching the book of Nehemiah. The title of his sermon is “Hope in the Face of Failure.” Finally, I have spent the last two Wednesday nights serving a horse. Let me explain. On Wednesday nights, Priscilla and I watch our grandkids, Madden (3) and Halle (2), while their parents meet with their LIFE groups and their siblings participate in Kids Clubs here at the church. For the past two Wednesdays, Madden and Halle insisted that we play “horsey.” I’m the horse, and they ride on my back when I’m down on my hands and knees. I have a lot to learn, though. I keep receiving the same three pieces of criticism. First, I’m not supposed to talk because horses don’t talk. Second, I need to go faster. Third, I need to kick my back leg like a horse. There have been a few tears when my performance has not matched their expectations. But I’m getting better, and we’re having a good time. Thanks for reading. I’ll see you on Sunday!