A Doxology in the Darkness
Sorrow and Suffering in the Presence of Majesty
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21–23).
We watch. But we just can’t see. “How? Why” “Where were You?”
In this Article:
1 The Mystery of Suffering
2 An Affirmation of Faith in Troubled Times. An infographic (Figure 3) follows at the conclusion.
3 A Reflection
4 A Prayer in Times of Suffering
It is crippling. It can stop the clock of life. The mystery of suffering and sorrow in the presence of Almighty God is not lost on the inspired authors of Scripture. Whether in the account of Lazarus—“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21)—or the fall of the Tower of Siloam—where our Lord offers no explanation but a solemn warning about the uncertainty of life (Luke 13:4–5)—God whispers His reply: I shall be with you. I am near to you. I love you.
Thus, Jeremiah, weeping over the ruins of Jerusalem, clothed in sackcloth and ashes, cries an affirmation of faith—a doxology in the darkness: “Great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23). Thus, we, too, may affirm in faith the mystery of life in this place “east of Eden:”
God is great. God is good. God is love. God does not willingly afflict the children of men. The world is fallen. Evil exists. God is greater. The fallen world yields remnant signs of Eden in the midst of pain and sorrow. We have a certain hope.
Refer to the more definitive version in the graphic that follows this post.
So we pray, and we sing songs in the night, remembering the cross—where perfect innocence met a cosmic crime: deicide. And where unconditional forgiveness was offered for those who crucified the One who prayed for them.
But Sunday was coming.
Reflection:
Even when God is silent, He is not absent. The story of redemption isn’t one of painless ease but of faithful presence. The Christian lifts a song in the night not because sorrow is denied but because hope has dawned. The cross looms large in the darkness, but so does the empty tomb. Suffering casts a shadow—but it also has a Savior.
Prayer:
O Lord, in our sorrow and confusion, draw near. Speak again Your promises in the silence. Strengthen us to trust in Your faithfulness until the morning breaks and joy returns. In Jesus’ name. Amen
We warmly welcome your thoughts, prayers, prayer requests, or praises for answered prayers.