Glory and Ashes

There are some times in life when we must throw back our heads and howl to the winds, "why??????"  The diagnosis comes in, the job market dries up, the friend calls with awful news, and suddenly you are knocked on your knees.  It's like a hurricane came barrelling through life, raining on everything, whipping up the hot air, and you're headed for the hills while throwing plywood over everything.  We demand answers of the universe, and the universe refuses to answer.

Then people show up with their comfort.  "Oh," they say, "isn't it great that all things work together for the glory of God?"  Yes, of course it is, but why did He have to glorify Himself with my friend, my sibling, my child?  "What is God trying to teach us?"  How to pop hot air balloons.  "Just cheer up, it'll get better."  Well, yeah, but not right now!

But brace yourself up, like a man, if you still can!  Can you raise leviathan?  Can you put hooks in his jaw?  Of course not, he is too large.  God is the Eye of the Storm, and in Him alone is comfort.  He is the Truth beyond Learning, the Glorious One who is coming to reign.  Behold He comes, and in His train come Justice and Mercy, Punishment and Compassion, the things this world needs.  Every rapist will be given their due, every murderer will feel the sting of death, every oppressor will feel the rectifying power of God.  That alone is our hope of salvation.