O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. ² They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the air for food, the flesh of your faithful to the wild animals of the earth. ³ They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. ⁴ We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.⁵ How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire? ⁶ Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call on your name.  ⁸ Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors…” Psalm 79:1-8

Psalm 79 is a useful Psalm – because it teaches us that suffering can and should be seen from a perspective of faith as well as judgment. There are often harsh realities facing the people of G-d – but some branches of Christianity do not allow for this reality. Prosperity Theologians will tell you that if you are suffering, then you do not have a strong enough faith. But, we Lutherans, like the Psalmist can not lose faith or hope in the midst of adversity. Suffering of the faithful can not be seen as G-d’s weakness – or just as G-d’s judgment and punishment. Why? Well, all we need to do is remember the cross – a sign of humiliation and shame. The cross is our symbol of power and grace and the ultimate answer to the question “Where is G-d?” The answer is that G-d is both a G-d of power, and suffering – cross and resurrection. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, G-d dies – but is not defeated. From the tomb G-d rises to tell the world that even death is not stronger than G-d. Nothing can separate us from the love of G-d found in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave