This song highlights the private turmoil of the suffering saint, the public mockery of the onlooking masses and the global proclamation of the Good News.
PRIVATE TURMOIL:
No one knows the suffering of the soul that is struggling to believe in God when every circumstance seems to be denouncing Him. No one, except God who sees and sympathizes with His saints. He hears their cries and as Exodus 2 beautifully reassures, "God knew."
PUBLIC MOCKERY:
But God was not content to merely know this from afar. He was not willing to end with empathy. He experienced it first hand when Jesus endured this inner turmoil. Now God knew from experience. Those watching His struggle observed and said, "iI that is what God does for the man who believes in Him, I don't want that," or in our modern tongue, "With friends like God, who needs enemies? If your God is so great, why are you suffering so greatly?"
WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Works righteousness is the default understanding of human nature. The math should add up. If we do good, we should experience good. If we're on the right team, the right outcomes should take place. So if we're suffering, it's because we're on the wrong team or because we're not as right as we think we are. This logic makes sense, but it doesn't make room for God's grace and sovereign supremacy. Jesus endured mockery and opposition at every turn and in His most vulnerable moments experienced some of the most vicious slander imaginable.
GLOBAL PROCLAMATION:
The final victory and deliverance will be broadcast for all to see that the Lord is God and He is good. The shock of Jesus' public murder was only eclipsed by that of His public appearance after His resurrection. His victory was seen in His nail-scarred hands eating fish and bread. This news continues to be the headline for those who call upon the Name of the Lord. This is Good News.
PRIVATE TURMOIL:
No one knows the suffering of the soul that is struggling to believe in God when every circumstance seems to be denouncing Him. No one, except God who sees and sympathizes with His saints. He hears their cries and as Exodus 2 beautifully reassures, "God knew."
PUBLIC MOCKERY:
But God was not content to merely know this from afar. He was not willing to end with empathy. He experienced it first hand when Jesus endured this inner turmoil. Now God knew from experience. Those watching His struggle observed and said, "iI that is what God does for the man who believes in Him, I don't want that," or in our modern tongue, "With friends like God, who needs enemies? If your God is so great, why are you suffering so greatly?"
WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Works righteousness is the default understanding of human nature. The math should add up. If we do good, we should experience good. If we're on the right team, the right outcomes should take place. So if we're suffering, it's because we're on the wrong team or because we're not as right as we think we are. This logic makes sense, but it doesn't make room for God's grace and sovereign supremacy. Jesus endured mockery and opposition at every turn and in His most vulnerable moments experienced some of the most vicious slander imaginable.
GLOBAL PROCLAMATION:
The final victory and deliverance will be broadcast for all to see that the Lord is God and He is good. The shock of Jesus' public murder was only eclipsed by that of His public appearance after His resurrection. His victory was seen in His nail-scarred hands eating fish and bread. This news continues to be the headline for those who call upon the Name of the Lord. This is Good News.
No comments:
Post a Comment