Saturday, February 21, 2015

"Do You Show Your Wonders to the Dead"


Dear Fellow Children of God,

 

Sometimes life just hits you between the eyes and, as you collect your wits, you are left wondering what happened.  That describes this past weekend.

 

As Kathy and I drove to Kenai to lead worship, she noticed that a friend in St. Louis had died.  Otis Woodard was a truly unique individual who had been part of our congregation 35 years ago.  Otis dressed differently and lived differently.  He spent his life working to help inner city people in St. Louis, MO, in the name of Jesus.  Otis’ unique personality pushed some people away, but his actions of faith in Jesus’ name drew many to him.  I had reconnected with Otis in recent years through Facebook and had taken time to visit with him in 2013 and 2014 when I was in St. Louis for work.  Otis was still helping people in need.  Kathy said, “He is going to be sorely missed.”  I agree.  It seems I had just seen him and now he’s gone!

 

Then, on Sunday evening I had just gotten home from Kenai, not even having sat down, when I got a call from Dwayne Jenson.  I didn’t totally understand what Dwayne was saying, but I did hear that his wife, Lisa, had stopped breathing.  She was at the hospital and they were talking stroke.  This did not make sense.  Lisa and family had all been in worship on Wednesday.  I had attended a Stephen Ministry class that Lisa and Cathy Grosz taught on Thursday.  They then taught another class at Dwayne and Lisa’s house on Saturday, working to conclude training for this new Stephen Ministry class.  Lisa was in worship on Sunday morning.  But, when we sat with the doctor at Providence Hospital he told us that Lisa had died.  She had suffered unexpected bleeding in her brain.  It could not be true that this faithful, active wife and mother and active member of St. John could have died.  We were all in shock and disbelief.

 

Then, as we sat in the waiting room at the hospital we learned that David Grosz’ brother, Rod, had passed away that very morning.  David had led worship at St. John while I was preaching in Kenai.  When David got home he had a call telling him that Rod had died.  David’s brother had been ill and we had been praying for him.  Cathy told us, “I just loved Rod.”  But, as we learned of David’s loss we felt hit with another painful blow.  

 

When life hits you between the eyes, do you ever want to shout at God?  I did.  Do you ever get angry with the Lord?  I was.  Do you wonder why he allows the pain and loss?  Well, if you have had questions in the face of the trials and losses of life, you are in good company. The Psalmists often questioned God, displaying anger even.  Listen to Psalm 88:8-13.

 

”8 You have taken from me my closest friends . . . 9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? 11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction? 12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? 13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.”

 

Actually, the surprising truth is that all these questions which we expect to be answered with a “no,” God answers with His “Yes”!  When faced with life’s tragedies God brings grace and love and salvation.

 

The Psalmist asks God, “10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you?”  Actually, God does just that.  In Jesus’ death and resurrection God has defeated death.  God raises the dead and “every tongue confesses that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father.”  (Philippians 2:11)

 

The Psalmist asks God, “11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction?”  God’s love is declared as he raises the dead and brings all who believe in Jesus to everlasting life in heaven, where we are told, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)  The blessings we receive in heaven in the presence of God show love that cannot be fathomed.  God does show love to those who have been in the grave.

 

“12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?”  Yes, God’s wonders and righteousness give hope when facing death.  God forgives sinners, raises the dead, and gives life in heaven.  Those wonders are shouted to eternity.

 

Sometimes life just hits you between the eyes and, as you collect your wits, you are left wondering what happened.  But, when life seems to offer only tragedy, God gives hope and strength in His love and salvation.  When life seems to offer “No” through loss, God offers “Yes” through Jesus.  The death of loved ones hurts deeply.  But God is stronger than death.  Through Jesus God gives eternal life in heaven and hope in the midst of this world’s tragedies.

 

A Child of God, Full of Questions, Trusting in God,

Pastor Jonathan

 


 

P.P.S.  Monday afternoon with grandchildren, Jackson and Kendall.  https://plus.google.com/photos/114993745799525883148/albums/6118142540856164337?banner=pwa

 

 

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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ -   I am sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and friends whose e-mails I have.  (I am always adding new names of friends and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)  However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . .

 

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