Paul Helm defines providence simply as “God provides.” I suppose that discussions about providence often end up in dicey places because we have a hard time comprehending how God provides (or simply permits) disaster. Disaster, like hurricanes in New Orleans. Earthquakes in Pakistan. Genocide in Darfur. Still born babies in hospital rooms, or more simply spouses who feel unloved by each other & students who flunk out of school.
It’s no mystery that this tends to be the type of news that fills up the 6 o’clock hour. Everyday we are reminded about the depravity of humanity and seeming chaos of the cosmos as we hear one heartbreaking story after another.
I was recently in a discussion in which two friends argued that the Psalms are the most important book of the Hebrew Bible. I fought them on this countering that without the story of Exodus, there would be no Jewish faith. But they persisted in their argument, suggesting both that some scholars think the Psalms are some of the oldest writings in the Bible and also that all the theology that is done throughout the Bible can be found in the Psalms. Some, they argued, have even suggested that the Psalms shaped the canonization process.
“The Psalms,” I thought to myself, “provide the fluffy language of hipsters and hippies alike.” The qualifying statement here would be that I don’t have a mystical bone in my body. I have, however, found use for Psalms like Psalm 137 in which, the author wishes to smash the heads of infant Babylonians on the rocks. These imprecatory Psalms, are honest. They confess emotions that result from experiences people have from the stories told at the 6 o’clock news hour.
But how about the psalms of praise and thanksgiving? My favorite Psalm, Psalm 8, captures, the majesty of the cosmos & consequently God. In light of the majesty of God, humans are humbled that God, “would be mindful of them.” It is a poetic and beautiful Psalm framed by the refrain (vv 1 & 8),
“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
I very much enjoy Psalm 8. But even on days I feel especially exuberant, I hardly feel like busting out in spontaneous song to express my feelings of joy and adoration. This after all, is the activity of people like Ryan and Sharpay, two characters from this dreadful trilogy my wife enjoys … “High School Musical.”
My dad is a pastor in a small town in Northern Wisconsin. Last week I got a call from my mom that requested that I begin to pray. A little boy from a family in their church had been missing for over an hour. To complicate matters he has autism. Thus, should he have been nearby the likelihood that he would have responded to the calling of his name was slim. Minutes passed in what felt like hours.
I have two children, I played the same narrative in my head substituting their child with mine. Fear was struck in my heart. I prayed more urgently. About an hour later I got a call from my mom reporting that EMT had found the child face down in a nearby pond, but not too late. He was revived and fine.
The next day I called my mom to follow up on the incident. She had gone to be with the family both to be with them while they waited and after the child was recovered. The parents wept, both when the their child was missing and also with him in their laps as they held him close and I suspect humbly thanked God that their precious gift had been returned.
Because I have my own children, I don’t forget stories like that one. The truth is, that story could have ended just as badly as the so many we hear about. But it did not. To the many families through history who had similar stories end the other way, I don’t know the answer. By faith I confess that Christ is enough, God strength is made perfect in our weakness and that some day we will be reunited in the resurrection of the dead. But the other side of that coin is that though God is sufficient we still experience the raw pain that can, in some circumstances, leave us whishing we could dash the heads of Babylonian infants on rocks.
But to the family who recovered their little boy, I confess, no I scream from my heart, God you are faithful and good. You have provided!
“O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
posted by Craig Nash,
8/28/2010 10:52 AM CST
We will soon have all the contact information available for our weekly groups, which begin next week. If you have any questions about any of these, please email craig@ubcwaco.org or toph@ubcwaco.org.
posted by Craig Nash,
8/24/2010 7:01 AM CST
Make sure to come to UBC this Sunday (8/22) for our kickoff to another great year! Worship starts at 10:30, and it is going to be packed! Two things: If you can carpool, then please do so. Two, make sure to arrive early! We can't wait to see everyone back at church tomorrow! FRESHMAN, remember we have a free pizza party after church for you!
posted by Toph Whisnant,
8/21/2010 6:46 PM CST
If you are interested in applying to be one of the new UBC Ministry Associates please review the job description (click on the UBC Ministry Associate line to the right).
If you are still interested in the position after reading the job description, please send us a half-page letter that tells us why you feel you would be good for the position as well as a current resume. In addition to the half page letter, include the days and hours that you will be available to work in the fall. We will look over resumes as the arrive. Preference will be given to those who have their information in by Wednesday August 25.
posted by Toph Whisnant,
8/17/2010 1:57 PM CST
Don’t forget to bring your school supplies Sunday, August 15 to support the Children’s Ministry School Supply Drive. If you need ideas of what to bring visit www.rapoportacademy.org to check out some supply lists. They’re always in need of Kleenex and hand sanitizer so grab one of those too. Thanks for your support, the kids are so excited to see what you bring!
posted by Toph Whisnant,
8/10/2010 7:47 AM CST