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A deep problem that raises deep emotions
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Read Psalm 22 or listen to a dramatic presentation of it on this video clip:
Words of passion & pain
Jesus famously recited words from this psalm on the cross. They express that deep sense of being abandoned despite believer’s trust that God is both good and great.
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The psalms are the prayer book / the worship book of the Old Testament. In them you find extravagant praise but also heartfelt despair; they are a reminder – from the Bible itself – that we can be totally honest with God about the times when life hurts.
For those who want to explore this more deeply, read the Book of Job (just before the Psalms in the Old Testament). In this, Job – an ‘innocent sufferer’ – debates with those who come to offer him comfort. They are convinced that he must have done something wrong to merit all his troubles (a view prevalent at the time, a bit like karma in Hinduism). He maintains his innocence and throws himself on the mercy of God. This is not an easy book to understand but it shows the Bible wrestling deeply with the issue.
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In the New Testament the story of Jesus’ disciple Thomas displays the passionate unbelief of someone whose dreams have been shattered. Read John chapter 20 verses 24-29
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Use the email address below to give feedback / ask questions to the author, whose views these pages reflect
Six Big Questions Rev John Hibberd sixbigquestions@throughfaithmissions.org
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