Death, where is your sting?

Thursday 17th April 2008 - Fourth Week of Eastertide.

SCRIPTURE
I will sing forever of Your love O Lord... You are my Father, my God, the rock who saves me.
PS.89:1,26

OBSERVATION
In Psalm 89 the psalmist sings a hymn of praise to God's love and faithfulness.

APPLICATION
Today the nation of New Zealand is in shock and mourning over the death of six students and a teacher in a canyoning tragedy in the central North Island. The sudden, brutal deaths of these young people has stunned the nation. The school involved is a Christian High School and already stories of courageous Christian witness from survivors, parents and school staff are surfacing.
When suffering on this scale occurs the question soon follows; "Where is the all-powerful and loving God in this?" Why does suffering happen, because when it does it appears God isn't all-powerful or isn't loving, or both. The suffering of innocents especially begs this question.
There is a mystery to suffering that won't be revealed until we meet Jesus, but there is one thing we can say with certainty - we have a God who is no stranger to suffering, the cross made certain of that. And we have a God who conquered death, Easter made certain of that.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, send the Holy Spirit to comfort all who mourn today. Let the hope that Your resurrection gives in this Eastertide reign in all broken hearts.
Little Flower, please pray for us.