My soul was veiled since birth.
My eyes could not have known
what blinded by this earth;
the King of Glory’s throne.
Owned by the darkness’ grasp
and lured by empty crowns.
My spirit’s judgment lapse
lacked His quiet sound.
Without a quickening turn
my heart was slowly crushed.
Wherewith a spoken wave,
by grace, supplied it’s rush.
His all familiar Word
now seemingly first known,
when King Jesus undeterred,
unveiled His glory’s throne!
Here are Piper’s reasons for speaking about "When the Righteous Suffer" as he opened up with tonight. This was basically his introduction.
1. Hundreds of you have suffered and are looking for a way out of the darkness.
2. You suffering is coming for sure.
3. Persecution (he lists everything from scorn to cancer to calamity). they’re all the same with regard to two things. a) the design of the devil to destroy faith b) the design of God to strengthen your faith
4. Natural disasters have put theophany in the news.
5. God is rejected wholesale by many because of suffering.
6. Christian critics of the sovereignty of God
7. The wise, good, just, absolute sovereignty of God is great beyond all measure.
8. Suffering is appointed as one way for the gospel to spread.
9. The supreme value, and glory, and admirableness of Christ is known when people see Him as more valuable than anything we could lose.
Here’s one more nugget: In regard to why good people suffer. "Earth will never give you an answer. Heaven will."
I’m excited to be blogging live from Austin Texas for the Desiring God conference featuring John Piper. He is speaking on "Why the Rigteous Suffer" from the book of Job. This is so timely for me because I have seen suffering from those close to me and around me a lot lately. I know that God in His providence has led me here this night. I know the gospel will be spoken and I know this is going to quench the thirst!
Stay tuned!! I will report later.
Grace Breaks 