Dr. Ritch Boerckel
Grace Is For the Weak
Senior Pastor
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Suffering is a topic addressed often in Scripture and yet one frequently neglected by the happy Christian. Such neglect leaves us unready for the future and unproductive in the present. This world is broken and at some point its brokenness will spear us through and through. So I invite you to think with me for a few moments over the uncomfortable topic of suffering. A friend experiencing an extreme trial recently lamented, “I do not know how much more I can withstand.” Those unfamiliar with deep suffering raise their eyes in surprise at such words coming from a person of faith, while those familiar with suffering nod at the authenticity of this solemn anguish. Dark trials burn up our internal resources and leave us with nothing more inside. We then groan, “How long, O Lord? How long?” In health and happiness, we feel that we are strong in faith and that nothing could shake us. Suffering surprises us by pulling the covers off
our soul revealing the fragile nature of our inner world. One of my good friends in ministry is a man that I esteem to the highest degree for his faith and communion with God. Yet in his present distress he comments, “Today is a better day but I faced some fears and thoughts last night that I never dreamed I would face.” If that has not happened to you yet, it is good to thank God for the reprieve He has given. But it is a reprieve that will likely be shattered some day by some terrible hammer. As we endure painful circumstances, two theological anchors dropped deeply into the sea of our soul will keep us from drowning in the tempest. We can rest upon the twin anchors of God’s sovereignty over every event and God’s love over His own. The God who loves us with an infinite love sovereignly sends every storm that rages against our peace. No storm comes upon us apart from our Father’s design. And every design of God is fashioned from His love for us. We can trust Him even as Continued on page 2