Bad news and God’s comfort

Some people call the Christian hope of heaven ‘pie in the sky’ and make fun of those who trust God for a glorious eternity. I understand that thinking, especially on those days when bad news makes heaven extremely appealing. Yet the hope of full redemption is not based on mere hope-so hope. It is grounded in the promises of God.

Two days this week brought four dire situations — bad news and tears, and for the most part no relief. They are what they are. I look to the Lord for answers, comfort, a Listener for the sorrow I feel.

This morning, God gives me a little piece of pie. That is, He comforts me with the promise of full resolution. Sin and its consequences will be no more, yet as the Bible says, we groan for it to happen . . .

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:18–23)

This old world is in bondage to corruption. Our bad news involves mental illness, broken bones, dreadful abuse and a murder-suicide. Most stem from the sinful condition of humanity. I groan, but I also pray. God is not limited by my short-sightedness nor did any of these things catch Him off guard. Further, He is not limited by hopelessness or the distress of people, His own children or otherwise. Nothing is too hard for God.

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Lord Jesus, for me grant the grace to trust You and keep trusting You, not only for the next life, but for this one, and for the wisdom, grace and compassion needed regarding this week’s bad news. Reading stuff like this in the daily paper or hearing in on television is bad enough; having it happen in our backyard to family and friends is indeed a suffering. You will eventually wipe away all sorrow and tears. For now, I’m so glad to know You and rely on You. Pie is okay, but Your promises are my deepest security. As Tozer says, Your richest blessings often require sacrifice, suffering, conflict, and patient waiting, but the blessing grows with the delay and Your compound interest increases as we endure.