Part I: For Goodness Sake

I had a post ready to publish last Friday, but then “the devil rolled into Newtown,” as I remember hearing the news anchor, Bill Hemmer, express.  Most energy moves to the point of pain, so what I once had to say became unimportant.  Language cannot express the suffering, so as the Scriptures explain, “We know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now,” referring to the coming birth of “the glory that is to be revealed to us” in God’s eternal state when evil is banished (context of Romans 8: 18-30).  “. . .We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly. . . .”  This passage also states that the Spirit of God groans for us because we are too weak to even know how to pray!

“The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (verse 26).  God suffers. God groans. God comforts. And God is causing all things to work together for a greater good, that those who love Him should be re-created into the very goodness and image of Jesus, the only perfect human being — perfect in nature, in love, truth, goodness, and light.  This passage reveals hope for anyone who looks trustingly to God.

Jesus’ atoning death is the pregnancy price for a true and promised utopia – perfection of creation wherein dwells complete goodness of environment, nature, people, culture, society, and government.  The deep longings of our hearts will be fulfilled in a coming King and Kingdom, void of tears and pain, and ubiquitously luxurious in goodness and meaning.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Presently, we can all help Newtown by holding these people close to our hearts in groaning prayer, agreeing with God that He would comfort them, that they would let Him comfort them, that they would trust themselves and their children to His care.

In my next post, we’ll process the issue of good and evil.  But for now, the most important posture we can take is a posture of heart that is like Jesus’ heart – humble. If Jesus is “gentle and humble in heart,” the perfect Son of God, then we have exponentially more reason to be humble in heart, drawing near to God and letting Him draw near to us.  Here is the heavy, healthy, relieving reality:

     “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Be miserable and mourn and weep. . . .  Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord,

and He will exalt you.”

James 4:8-10