Most people, even those who know little of the Bible, have heard of Job, and connect his name to great loss and suffering. He’s the poster child for the apologetic question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Many books have been written attempting to give a theological understanding of Job’s […]
In my experience, when we read or hear preaching on the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, the focus tends to be on Hannah’s grief, her prayer, and God’s answer. If we don’t look at the whole context, we miss much about her primary support system—her husband Elkanah, and her priest, Eli. What part did […]
Read More… from Hannah’s Story: Infertility, Husband, Priest, and Child
I’ve been reading Job recently, and I’ve become a big fan of this book! I’m impressed with Job’s incredibly bold lament and complaint toward God. The poetry is incredible, but it truly fits in the category of wisdom literature. Such deep spiritual counsel straight from the mind of God. One thing that stands out of […]
A dozen years I ago, I went through one of those perfect storms of life that had me reeling. Maybe you know what I’m talking about—when you think you’re doing a decent job of coping with difficult circumstances, and then life takes a few more blows at you and you start to drown. I […]
Many years ago, a wise counselor told me, “God doesn’t waste good suffering.” Strange statement, right? How can suffering be described as good? Over the years I have become convinced through many interactions with suffering people that there is indeed such a thing as good suffering. As someone who hates to waste anything, I find […]