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Why, God?

David Stellwagon

“Why do You hide Your face And forget our affliction and our oppression?” Psalms 44:24

“… O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?” Psalms 74:1

“O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?” Psalms 88:14

“How long, O LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? Remember what my span of life is; For what vanity You have created all the sons of men! What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah. Where are Your former lovingkindnesses, O Lord, Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?” Psalms 89:46-49

How often have we been guilty of praying prayers that aren't really in our hearts? We don't understand why things are happening around us. We are hurting in our hearts. We have troubles and problems and all we feel is anger and frustration. Yet we say prayers that are of “Faith”. Not that we really believe what we say but don't want to sound like we are faithless, and we try to convince our own hearts that we are strong. 

Yet we find the Psalmists being honest with their hearts. If they had any grievance in their hearts they were not afraid to voice it to God. They blasted Him with questions of why and where. Is it right for them to have done this? The children of Israel complained and God punished them. Can we complain to God? 

The difference is in who the Israelites were directing their complaints to and how they were doing it. They were coming against Moses and saying it was better in slavery in Egypt than without meat and fruits in the wilderness free from slavery. They were calling God a liar. 

But the Psalmists were directing serious questions that were in their hearts to God. Not grumbling to everyone else, but taking it to God. Is it really not of faith to complain to God about real issues? 

I say it is of faith. You are taking your concerns to your Father in Heaven. You are seeking answers from Him. You may be angry at God. Well, tell him how you feel. Isn't that true relationship? 

When we hide these things in our hearts, we are shutting down our channel of communication with God. We are hindering intimacy with God, where He shares His heart with us and we share our heart with Him. It is in voicing to God what is in our hearts that He can give us the answers we need and free us from the burdens we carry. 

In Palm 73, the Psalmist was troubled that the wicked man who does not follow God was prospering while he was struggling. “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure And washed my hands in innocence; For I have been stricken all day long And chastened every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children. When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.” Psalms 73:13-17

He brought it to God and God showed him that the wicked will reap destruction but he has an eternal place in nearness to God. He was sorry for his thoughts yet that was how he was freed from his burden, by casting it on God. Let's remember that God meant it when he had Peter write, “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

David Stellwagon and his wife Kathy were missionaries to Japan for 11 years. David is the son of life-long missionaries to Japan and David and Kathy's three sons were also born in Japan. David and Kathy returned to the states in 2000. David currently teaches Sunday School and the New Testament Bible Survey in our School for Christian Workers. 

Sorrow According to God?

by Alan Stroud

"For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." 2 Cor.7:8-10 NKJV

Is there really such a thing as godly sorrow? Is there a sorrow according to God?

I believe Paul is summing up the result of a very difficult issue among the Corinthians and their response to a very strong letter written by Him. Some would disagree, but I believe this issue is linked to a case of blatant immorality in the church (1Cor.5). A man was involved sexually with his father's wife, and obviously this was an established fact amongst the church. The offender was obviously unrepentant, and the church was unconcerned! Maybe they felt they were so "spiritual" that they were above it all. Maybe they felt that grace made it O.K. Maybe they felt it would just go away. Paul is alarmed at their attitude! No mourning, grieving, nor deep concern. He knows if this goes on, the whole body will be "leavened", or broken down. The testimony of the church is at stake!

Paul writes a letter that is very painful to him. He is risking being further misunderstood; being seen as hard, uncaring & judgmental. He commands the church to remove that wicked one from their midst! His real motive is summed up in 2Cor.2:4: "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you may be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you".

This letter caused him pain. This letter caused the offender pain. This letter caused the church pain. Could this be of God? Godly sorrow produces repentance! Not the "I'm sorry I got caught." Not the "I'm sorry for the inconvenience to my life." Not the "I'm sorry I couldn't save face, so now what do I do to rebuild my image?" 

Real repentance turns to God & does what He requires. Real repentance does not lead to harm, but heals. Real repentance doesn't suffer loss spiritually, but restores and brings life! Real repentance leaves no regret!

The end result of all this sorrow? The church, by consensus of the majority, decides they will do the right thing and obeys Paul's letter. They remove the man; a very painful thing indeed. (2Cor2:5-11) They pass the test & prove the sincerity of their faith. Through this they are further purified as a body & they grow in grace. The apostle Paul is greatly comforted in a very difficult time of his ministry when he receives the news of their obedience. Their relationship is restored! Finally, the offender is forgiven & reaffirmed by the church, obviously because he has been made "sorry" and repented! (2Cor2:5-11)

It's not all about just feelin' good, it's about walking in His ways. What a good God we serve!

Alan Stroud was a member of Christian Challenge for 11 years before accepting the pastorate of Beech Grove Congregational Methodist Church in Anacoco, LA, where he continues to pastor. He also serves as the Annual Conference Chairman for the Congregational Methodist Church in Louisiana. Alan has taught "The Disciple's Heart" in the School for Christian Workers on several occasions and continues to lead classes in west Louisiana from time to time. We are pleased to continue our close relationship with him and have him as a new contributor to the Eastern Gate Newsletter.