GOD OF ALL

I was reading in Lamentations because it fit my mood. It’s a short but rough read. It begins by describing the desolation of Jerusalem and ends with an angry accusation against God. In between are verses of consolation—verses that form the basis for a beloved hymn:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

The prophet’s mixture of grief and faith reflects my own heart all too well.

GOD OF ALL POWER

One moment I feel close to God; the next I feel far from him. 

I read my Bible and am inspired; I read the Bible and am confused. 

The song that lifted my heart in praise yesterday now sounds trite and hollow. 

At some point, I got the mistaken idea that life with Jesus went from great to awesome—that I would start by climbing a hill, then a mountain, then a 14-er (a mountain with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet above sea level), then Mt. Everest, then straight up to Heaven! I did not know that seasons of consolation and desolation are a natural part of our walk with Christ. 

In the 1500s, Ignatius of Loyola wrote 14 Rules for Discernment on how to navigate these very human cycles. Instead of me trying to somehow unweak-ify myself, these guidelines point to God’s sufficiency. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We climb up. We slide down. We go in circles. We fall into the water. We learn to swim. We walk. We reach a crossroads. We reach the Cross. This is the way. This is The Way. 

GOD OF ALL GRACE

This cycle is less about our outward circumstances and more about our interior responses. It is possible to walk through a dark valley and experience consolation. It is also possible to have a day that is sunny and beautiful yet feel nothing but desolation. In every circumstance, we dwell in God’s grace.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)

This cycle of suffering and restoration, waxing and waning, ebbing and flowing, is a thing to celebrate (says Ignatius), not fear or resist. 

GOD OF CONSOLATION AND DESOLATION

A time of consolation is a time for humility. Be thankful. Also, be ready for desolation to return. The tomorrow we hope never comes may come anyway. Be prepared. 

A time of desolation is a time for spiritual discipline. If we planned to go to church on Sunday and Saturday was a day of total desolation, we should go to church anyway. If we regularly read Scripture in the morning with coffee and last night was sleepless and wretched, we read Scripture and drink coffee anyway. We remain faithful.

GOD OF ALL FAITHFULNESS

The word discipline comes from the Latin dicipulus (meaning pupil, student, disciple). Just because we’re experiencing desolation does not mean we are no longer following Christ. In fact, we may be experiencing it because we are following Christ.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Sometimes that is the way it goes: suddenly there’s a lion in your living room. Our faith is not defined by our experiences, whether internal or external. God is our Father. Christ is our King. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. We rest in Him, whether it is “summer or winter, springtime or harvest.” As the grand old hymn declares, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me! 

His faithfulness does not waver. Until we meet Him face to face, we worship and ride the waves.

PRAYER

Lord with me on this ocean, change the way I pray:

Instead of: Jesus, make it stop, let me pray: Jesus, Man of Sorrows, I will stay awake with you. 

Instead of: God, where are you? I’ll pray: God, wrap me in your love that is stronger than death. 

Instead of: Lord, take away this temptation, help me pray: Lord, thank You for this temptation that reveals an area where I need more of You.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal things that need to be revealed. 
• Is there serious sin that needs to be dealt with? 
• Are there changes you need to make in your spiritual or practical life? 
• Who is a trusted friend or counselor you can talk to? 
• Are you feeling especially close to the Lord? Give thanks for His great love.