Give me wings,
Give me peace.
These are the things that I need.
I’m tormented, broken and shamed
Are you listening?
Give me shelter from the storm,
I know it’s a lot to ask for,
Considering how recent I’ve piled the dirt on your name.

Are you listening? -The Classic Crime

This is currently one of my favorite songs on my playlist, not only because i love the sound, but more so because the words resonate with me. I find that all too often, especially in the midst of a difficult time, I come to the Lord hoping for mercy and compassion, but doubting that I am even heard. My mistakes and sins run through my head, and lies and false condemnation I take to be my truth, and I wonder if He is listening to my undeserved cries. At times I allow my circumstances, which scream much louder than His still quiet voice, to become my focus, to overwhelm, and the Lord then seems aloof, distant. I like this song because it is honest, because it so eloquently depicts the state of my heart at times, but mostly because it reminds me that this is not His reality. He is listening. Even when I can’t feel Him.

on deserving

It is important to address some of the common lies we hear and tend to believe concerning the Lord’s compassion, and to replace these with His truth. The first lie is verbalized in the song above when he states “I know it’s a lot to ask for, considering how recent I’ve piled the dirt on your name…” It is the concept that what we do has a direct impact on whether or not we receive God’s compassion and mercy, particularly if we mess up. And this lie is not entirely false. Psalm 34:12-16 specifically states the the Lord sees and hears the righteous, but turns his face against the evil. There is correlation between actions and God’s favor towards us, however, these correlations apply on the heart level. There is a vast difference between the man who has submitted his life to the Lord and yet struggles in sin, and the man who rebells against the Lord and does not know Him. All have sinned (Romans 3:23), and we will continue to struggle with sin while here on earth. But the man who seeks the Lord (Psalm 34:4), who cries out to Him (Psalm 34:6), who fears Him (Psalm 34:7-9)-this is the man that the Lord is near, the one he hears and rescues, the one he shows compassion. We tend to be far too self centered, self focused, and because of this, we attribute much too much of life’s situations to our own doing. Paul specifically addresses this topic in Romans 9:

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (verses 15-16)

And in this we can rest. Knowing that we are undeserving of mercy and compassion, and yet resting in our sovereign Lord who loves us deeply. In this we can approach his throne boldly as children of God, and know that we are heard, for it depends on God.

on love and suffering

To be perfectly honest, I am fairly annoyed by the question “if God really is good and in control why is there so much suffering?”. Never do we ask “why do good things happen to me?”, and it is highly doubtful that good things never happen to each one of us. But we take these for granted all too often, and blame God when things don’t go as we’d planned. He is complained against and condemned, but only rarely praised. A sense of entitlement has become ingrained in the American culture, and if not kept in check, can quietly integrate into your own life. Comfort is demanded over sacrifice. Luxury is preferred. And we fail to open our eyes to what He has given us, to the blessings we’ve received, because we are too focused on gaining more. Especially in this environment, could suffering be an aspect of God’s compassion? Peter writes, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, for he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result he no longer lives the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.” (4:1-2). There are 3 major truths in these verses that must be addressed to counter this lie.

1) Suffering is expected. Christ himself said that no servant is greater than his master (Jn. 13:16), that if He was to suffer, His followers would not be able to avoid it. John Piper writes on Christ’s suffering, “No one ever deserved suffering less, yet received so much” (Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ). And His suffering was for us. God’s compassion is extravagant. Looking again at Psalm 34, note the phrases “When the righteous cry for help…”, “…near to the brokenhearted”, “…saves the crushed in spirit”, “many are the afflictions of the righteous…”. All denote an understanding that suffering happens, it is a part of life, it is expected, especially for the righteous. BUT in the midst of it, God is there, He is near, He is the help and the refuge, our Rescuer, full of compassion.

2) Suffering refines us. “…He who has suffered in his body is done with sin” (1st Pet. 4:1). This verse does not mean that we will not sin after we have suffered. What it does refer to is that the man who willingly suffers for Christ has seen the great value of Him who we follow, has known Him in suffering, and as a result desires nothing from the world. The enticement that sin has is gone. He has chosen that which is better, even in pain. Suffering is an aspect of sanctification, where the Lord strips us of what we no longer need to cling to, and replaces it with Himself.

3) Suffering allows us to refocus. We are freed to no longer live for ourselves but for God. Rather than seeking comfort, distraction, anything that will “fill” us, suffering causes us to realize how little we truly need these things, and how desperately we need Him. This aspect of suffering goes hand in hand with sanctification-as we are freed from sin, we then find joy and fulfillment in Him instead. Living for Him at all costs brings greatest joy. And in this, suffering is not only a means through which we can experience God’s compassion, it is an aspect of His compassion.

I realize we have discussed much on suffering in a brief writing devoted to God’s compassion. The two are tied hand in hand, however, and therefore must both be addressed. How can you know Him as your Deliverer if you are never in danger? Your Comforter if your heart is never broken? Your Refuge if you are always at peace? Suffering, while not designed by God, reveals Him in new, intimate light. And it is beautiful that he uses the pain in life for good. His compassion, his mercy, his grace, is all unmerited on our part. He asks only that we seek Him and trust Him, and in this is great love.

prayer

Father, I praise you for hearing, for seeing, and for knowing each of us intimately. Thank you for being near whether we sense Your presence or not. Thank you for knowing exactly what we need at all times. Father, You are so good to us. Open our eyes to your blessings, to your presence with us. May we see You. I pray that we would draw near to you without fear or guilt, that we would seek your face at all times and that we would truly experience your compassion. Lift our eyes off of ourselves. May we have a heart like David, one that will praise you at all times, in all circumstances, resting in your love and compassion.