Why Lord?

Our brother Greg has written about asking "why" the Lord would let his baby daughter die. They have blogged through this loss. It is heart-wrenching and, we trust, a good part of their healing process to write as they are. We weren't sure about linking to their blog, but since they have said that comments, even from people they don't know, have been helpful, we'll include it now. I feel like, after this darkest season of grief (and I do believe it will not be this dark forever), we will, they will, I will live more, live deeper for having suffered with Greg and Heather through this loss. They are sharing this journey so well.

This morning I was also thinking about two different questions WHY.

1) Why would God allow my baby niece to die? This I don't know- not a clue. But in the midst of our sorrow we can trust. Trust that God is still good, still faithful, still loving, still God. And we trust that God will use this for the good of those who trust him (Psalm 84:11, Rom 8:28) It is a sad, sad thing.


We know, "If Christ were not raised from the dead, we are to be pitited above all men." (1 Cor 15:19) And if Christ is not true and we are to be so pitied, THEN what do we have? Only worse despair. "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead." (1 Cor 15:20) So, although we don't have this answer, we do have sure hope in our Risen Lord.

But for a different why, I think the Bible does have some clear answers.

2) Why would God decide NOT to mark His people's lives with every prefect blessing and joy? Why would God let this happen to a family that trusts him, that loves him so? Shouldn't God's people be blessed- really blessed and really happy (as many would say today)? Wouldn't that be the case if our God was true? Surely this is evidence that he's not real or true or good or powerful enough if he's not doing this for his people.

We are sinners. We do not deserve any good thing from God. We deserve Hell (Romans 6:23). That this Holy God would crush his perfect, only Son to rescue us, filthy sinful people, from eternal damnation is beyond good. He doesn't owe us a thing. BUT he is good, he is loving... so wouldn't he want to give such gifts to his people?

We know that he is good. We know that he does want to give good gifts to his children (Luke 11:11). We know his character is good, wise, kind, loving, holy, just and merciful. But this does not bind him to always, only give us good things.

I heard a sermon from John Piper recently where he used a powerful analogy.

The world does not glorify Jesus as their supreme Treasure because of our health, wealth, and prosperity. Those are the same treasures they live for. The fact that we use Jesus to get what they want makes it clear to them that we have the same treasure as they do—and it is not Jesus. He’s just the ticket. And tickets are thrown away when the show begins.

God is not out to exalt anything but himself, as what we should live for. To show his people as uniquely blessed in all the world would indeed make people come. But would they be coming for the treasure of Christ or for the stuff? Piper reminded, us what happens to tickets once the holders get what they want... And God is not ok with His Son being thrown away.

He's not ok with giving his children lesser good either. (Romans 8:32, Matthew 7:9) Would God send his Son to die- would he crush his own son- to obligate himself to give us anything but that which eternally satisfies? There are so many good things in life and God is glad to give them... but ultimately he does not owe us these things. Not even "because we're his children."

We do not deserve life. He is gracious to give life as he does, but none of it is because we deserve it. Yet, stil knowing his character and heart towards his children, we have every reason to pray and hope for his healing and, in time, his joy to return and abound to Greg and Heather.

God is set on giving his children and showing the world the treasure that he offers (in the analogy... "his show"): "an inheiritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1:4-5)

I love that that salvation is already "ready" and waiting. I believe Maelee is waiting too in that place of imperishable life for that day when she'll be embraced by the mother and father from whom the Lord first knit her together. As Alcorn infers from Revelation 6: 9-11 in the book Heaven (page 65-66), "People in Heaven know what's happening on Earth.... [They] have a strong familial connection with those on Earth." See the rest of his writing to fuller understand his context.

I think one of the things God is out to show the world is how he sustains his people, comforts, speaks peace, gives his Holy Spirit. John 20:19-23

So... this doesn't mean grief is the least bit less painful (rather it would seem right to say that it hurts more for a couple who so thoughtfully, intentionally loves so deeply?). But in asking why, and hearing from God's word I can see that God IS still good. He has not violated any of his faithfulness to his people to allow this tragedy. He is not a liar. God is not powerless to save. God's people will have trials of various kinds (1 Peter 1:6-7).

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - Jesus. John 16:33