When Nice People Face God

[music] [music] >> Well, all of us have tasted revenge, >> Well, all of us have tasted revenge, >> Well, all of us have tasted revenge, getting back at others, getting even, as getting back at others, getting even, as getting back at others, getting even, as we call it. Hopefully, we don't know we call it. Hopefully, we don't know we call it. Hopefully, we don't know that feeling intimately, but we all know that feeling intimately, but we all know that feeling intimately, but we all know it. It can make us feel a little glad, it. It can make us feel a little glad, it. It can make us feel a little glad, sinfully glad inside, but sinfully glad inside, but sinfully glad inside, but what about perfect justice? What does what about perfect justice? What does what about perfect justice? What does that feel like? that feel like? that feel like? And what does it look like? It's one of And what does it look like? It's one of And what does it look like? It's one of the more challenging topics on the the more challenging topics on the the more challenging topics on the podcast, talking about how to rightly podcast, talking about how to rightly podcast, talking about how to rightly align our affections with God's eternal align our affections with God's eternal align our affections with God's eternal judgment. judgment. judgment. Especially when we consider God's Especially when we consider God's Especially when we consider God's judgment of ordinary people judgment of ordinary people judgment of ordinary people that we rub shoulders with that we rub shoulders with that we rub shoulders with on subways, buses, jets. on subways, buses, jets. on subways, buses, jets. Today, I ask Pastor John, when the Today, I ask Pastor John, when the Today, I ask Pastor John, when the nicest unbeliever you know faces nicest unbeliever you know faces nicest unbeliever you know faces God. God. God. This episode is sobering. A seminarian, This episode is sobering. A seminarian, This episode is sobering. A seminarian, Calvinist, and a Christian hedonist Calvinist, and a Christian hedonist Calvinist, and a Christian hedonist writes in about Romans 9 and God's final writes in about Romans 9 and God's final writes in about Romans 9 and God's final purpose for those vessels of wrath. purpose for those vessels of wrath. purpose for those vessels of wrath. The main question for me comes down to The main question for me comes down to The main question for me comes down to this, he writes, "Does God's plan this, he writes, "Does God's plan this, he writes, "Does God's plan which includes eternal judgment bring which includes eternal judgment bring which includes eternal judgment bring him the most possible glory he could him the most possible glory he could him the most possible glory he could receive? I struggle to understand why receive? I struggle to understand why receive? I struggle to understand why God creates vessels of damnation when he God creates vessels of damnation when he God creates vessels of damnation when he takes no pleasure in their end, unless takes no pleasure in their end, unless takes no pleasure in their end, unless it is for the sake of greater displays it is for the sake of greater displays it is for the sake of greater displays of his own glory.

of his own glory. of his own glory. Would God be more glorified by saving Would God be more glorified by saving Would God be more glorified by saving everyone everyone everyone or is there a ratio of saved to or is there a ratio of saved to or is there a ratio of saved to condemned that perfectly displays the condemned that perfectly displays the condemned that perfectly displays the full spectrum of his character and full spectrum of his character and full spectrum of his character and reveals his justice and mercy and his reveals his justice and mercy and his reveals his justice and mercy and his wrath and his grace wrath and his grace wrath and his grace to the world? to the world? to the world? As a Calvinist, of course, I cannot As a Calvinist, of course, I cannot As a Calvinist, of course, I cannot appeal to human free will as the appeal to human free will as the appeal to human free will as the ultimate reason. ultimate reason. ultimate reason. Therefore, the only motivator must be Therefore, the only motivator must be Therefore, the only motivator must be his passion for his glory. his passion for his glory. his passion for his glory. But Pastor John, as Christian hedonist, But Pastor John, as Christian hedonist, But Pastor John, as Christian hedonist, how are we to find gladness in this?" how are we to find gladness in this?" how are we to find gladness in this?" >> I'm going to focus on that last question >> I'm going to focus on that last question >> I'm going to focus on that last question especially, given given the existence of especially, given given the existence of especially, given given the existence of eternal conscious torment. Can a eternal conscious torment. Can a eternal conscious torment. Can a Christian hedonist, can a human being Christian hedonist, can a human being Christian hedonist, can a human being >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> be glad about that? >> be glad about that? >> be glad about that? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And one of the reasons I feel a burden >> And one of the reasons I feel a burden >> And one of the reasons I feel a burden to at least try to answer this question to at least try to answer this question to at least try to answer this question is my concern that many Christians can is my concern that many Christians can is my concern that many Christians can be so influenced by the spirit of the be so influenced by the spirit of the be so influenced by the spirit of the age that they reject certain watershed age that they reject certain watershed age that they reject certain watershed biblical teachings biblical teachings biblical teachings and that this causes almost everything and that this causes almost everything and that this causes almost everything else that they look at in the Bible to else that they look at in the Bible to else that they look at in the Bible to be skewed because they are looking at it be skewed because they are looking at it be skewed because they are looking at it through a compromised lens. Uh three of through a compromised lens. Uh three of through a compromised lens. Uh three of the watershed doctrines that that I the watershed doctrines that that I the watershed doctrines that that I would mention are one, the centrality of would mention are one, the centrality of would mention are one, the centrality of God in his own purposes for the God in his own purposes for the God in his own purposes for the universe.

universe. universe. That he does all things for the display That he does all things for the display That he does all things for the display of his glory. A a second one would be of his glory. A a second one would be of his glory. A a second one would be the existence of hell as everlasting the existence of hell as everlasting the existence of hell as everlasting conscious torment for those who did not conscious torment for those who did not conscious torment for those who did not believe on Christ. And third, I would believe on Christ. And third, I would believe on Christ. And third, I would mention is the fact that in our personal mention is the fact that in our personal mention is the fact that in our personal conversion to Christ conversion to Christ conversion to Christ God is ultimate and decisive, not man. God is ultimate and decisive, not man. God is ultimate and decisive, not man. Man does not have ultimate Man does not have ultimate Man does not have ultimate self-determination, only does. self-determination, only does. self-determination, only does. I find that most people I find that most people I find that most people who profess Christian faith but resist who profess Christian faith but resist who profess Christian faith but resist one or more of those three watershed one or more of those three watershed one or more of those three watershed doctrines and others doctrines and others doctrines and others look at a text text after text look at a text text after text look at a text text after text in the Bible through a distorted lens. in the Bible through a distorted lens. in the Bible through a distorted lens. If you reject one of those, everything If you reject one of those, everything If you reject one of those, everything gets skewed. gets skewed. gets skewed. Issue after issue in the Bible is given Issue after issue in the Bible is given Issue after issue in the Bible is given a slant in a man-centered way if those a slant in a man-centered way if those a slant in a man-centered way if those doctrines are rejected or resisted. And doctrines are rejected or resisted. And doctrines are rejected or resisted. And so that's one of the reasons I feel like so that's one of the reasons I feel like so that's one of the reasons I feel like I should at least try and do my best to I should at least try and do my best to I should at least try and do my best to answer this question about hell.

answer this question about hell. answer this question about hell. Uh one way to put it would be can we Uh one way to put it would be can we Uh one way to put it would be can we should we should we should we be glad be glad be glad that God has planned that unbelievers that God has planned that unbelievers that God has planned that unbelievers will suffer in hell forever. will suffer in hell forever. will suffer in hell forever. Now, the key passage of scripture Now, the key passage of scripture Now, the key passage of scripture that answers this question is Revelation that answers this question is Revelation that answers this question is Revelation chapter 18 and 19. Babylon represents in chapter 18 and 19. Babylon represents in chapter 18 and 19. Babylon represents in these chapters these chapters these chapters the sinful city, the center of unbelief the sinful city, the center of unbelief the sinful city, the center of unbelief and opposition to God. and opposition to God. and opposition to God. God brings his judgment on her. He God brings his judgment on her. He God brings his judgment on her. He devastates devastates devastates her. her. her. The wicked city, she is laid waste in a The wicked city, she is laid waste in a The wicked city, she is laid waste in a terrible judgment from God. terrible judgment from God. terrible judgment from God. And then comes the command And then comes the command And then comes the command to God's people. to God's people. to God's people. It goes like this. It goes like this. It goes like this. Rejoice over her, oh heaven, Rejoice over her, oh heaven, Rejoice over her, oh heaven, and you saints and apostles and and you saints and apostles and and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for prophets, for God has given judgment for prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her. you against her. you against her. After this, I heard what seemed to be a After this, I heard what seemed to be a After this, I heard what seemed to be a loud voice of a great multitude in loud voice of a great multitude in loud voice of a great multitude in heaven crying out, "Hallelujah!

heaven crying out, "Hallelujah! heaven crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to Salvation and glory and power belong to Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and our God, for his judgments are true and our God, for his judgments are true and just. just. just. For he has judged the great prostitute For he has judged the great prostitute For he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her who corrupted the earth with her who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the immorality and has avenged on her the immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants." Once more they blood of his servants." Once more they blood of his servants." Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! cried out, "Hallelujah! cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and The smoke from her goes up forever and The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." ever." ever." And then you connect that with the same And then you connect that with the same And then you connect that with the same wording in Revelation 14:11, wording in Revelation 14:11, wording in Revelation 14:11, which is describing the the final which is describing the the final which is describing the the final judgment in the lake of fire, judgment in the lake of fire, judgment in the lake of fire, like this. like this. like this. The smoke The smoke The smoke of their torment goes up forever and of their torment goes up forever and of their torment goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or ever. And they have no rest day or ever. And they have no rest day or night, these worshipers of the beast. night, these worshipers of the beast. night, these worshipers of the beast. So, this is eternal conscious torment as So, this is eternal conscious torment as So, this is eternal conscious torment as an extension of the judgment on Babylon an extension of the judgment on Babylon an extension of the judgment on Babylon and the response of God's people in that and the response of God's people in that and the response of God's people in that day is to be rejoicing and hallelujah.

day is to be rejoicing and hallelujah. day is to be rejoicing and hallelujah. The joy is not The joy is not The joy is not in the suffering of persons in the suffering of persons in the suffering of persons as an end in itself. as an end in itself. as an end in itself. The rejoicing explicitly in these texts The rejoicing explicitly in these texts The rejoicing explicitly in these texts is over God's judgment. is over God's judgment. is over God's judgment. Like Psalm 97:8 where it says, "Zion Like Psalm 97:8 where it says, "Zion Like Psalm 97:8 where it says, "Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of hears and is glad, and the daughters of hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice Judah rejoice Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O Lord." In because of your judgments, O Lord." In because of your judgments, O Lord." In other words, because of the other words, because of the other words, because of the manifestation manifestation manifestation that when all is said and done, that when all is said and done, that when all is said and done, you are just, God. You are just, you are just, God. You are just, you are just, God. You are just, righteous, holy. righteous, holy. righteous, holy. Your righteousness is fulfilled. Your Your righteousness is fulfilled. Your Your righteousness is fulfilled. Your holiness is vindicated. Your infinite holiness is vindicated. Your infinite holiness is vindicated. Your infinite worth is made plain to all those who worth is made plain to all those who worth is made plain to all those who scorned it. scorned it. scorned it. The fact that God's final judgment The fact that God's final judgment The fact that God's final judgment is going to be perfectly just and holy is going to be perfectly just and holy is going to be perfectly just and holy and righteous, and that we are going to and righteous, and that we are going to and righteous, and that we are going to be made perfect, we ourselves who are be made perfect, we ourselves who are be made perfect, we ourselves who are not yet perfect at all, we are going to not yet perfect at all, we are going to not yet perfect at all, we are going to be made perfect so that we can see it be made perfect so that we can see it be made perfect so that we can see it for what it really is and feel [snorts] for what it really is and feel [snorts] for what it really is and feel [snorts] it it it really feel it as we ought to feel it.

really feel it as we ought to feel it. really feel it as we ought to feel it. That's one of the reasons Christians do That's one of the reasons Christians do That's one of the reasons Christians do not take judgment into our own hands not take judgment into our own hands not take judgment into our own hands now. now. now. We do not feel vindictive toward our We do not feel vindictive toward our We do not feel vindictive toward our adversaries. On the contrary, Jesus adversaries. On the contrary, Jesus adversaries. On the contrary, Jesus said, "Love your enemies. said, "Love your enemies. said, "Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Do good to those who hate you. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Bless those who curse you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you. Pray for those who abuse you. Pray for those who abuse you. We are to weep with those who weep. We are to weep with those who weep. We are to weep with those who weep. We are to pray for the lost and that We are to pray for the lost and that We are to pray for the lost and that they would be converted to Christ. We they would be converted to Christ. We they would be converted to Christ. We long for their salvation. long for their salvation. long for their salvation. We're to join Paul in the tears that he We're to join Paul in the tears that he We're to join Paul in the tears that he shed over the perishing enemies of the shed over the perishing enemies of the shed over the perishing enemies of the cross in Romans 9:2 and Philippians cross in Romans 9:2 and Philippians cross in Romans 9:2 and Philippians 3:18. He was a weeping apostle. 3:18. He was a weeping apostle. 3:18. He was a weeping apostle. Vengeance belongs to God, not to us. We Vengeance belongs to God, not to us. We Vengeance belongs to God, not to us. We we are not yet suited in our sinful we are not yet suited in our sinful we are not yet suited in our sinful state, we are not yet suited to join God state, we are not yet suited to join God state, we are not yet suited to join God in his judgment. Only when we are in his judgment. Only when we are in his judgment. Only when we are perfected perfected perfected and given his eyes and given his eyes and given his eyes can we no longer see in a glass darkly can we no longer see in a glass darkly can we no longer see in a glass darkly and be able to rightly rejoice over and be able to rightly rejoice over and be able to rightly rejoice over God's judgment on those who have God's judgment on those who have God's judgment on those who have rejected him as we ought.

rejected him as we ought. rejected him as we ought. In Lamentations 3:33, even God, it says, In Lamentations 3:33, even God, it says, In Lamentations 3:33, even God, it says, does not afflict from his heart does not afflict from his heart does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. or grieve the children of men. or grieve the children of men. That's very strange, and you have to That's very strange, and you have to That's very strange, and you have to ponder this a long time. It seems to me ponder this a long time. It seems to me ponder this a long time. It seems to me that God has the ability that God has the ability that God has the ability to see suffering, the suffering of those to see suffering, the suffering of those to see suffering, the suffering of those he judges, through a narrow lens. And he judges, through a narrow lens. And he judges, through a narrow lens. And when he looks through the narrow lens when he looks through the narrow lens when he looks through the narrow lens and focuses on the suffering, pity is and focuses on the suffering, pity is and focuses on the suffering, pity is what he feels. He pities the suffering what he feels. He pities the suffering what he feels. He pities the suffering considered by itself. considered by itself. considered by itself. And then he he opens the lens, the broad And then he he opens the lens, the broad And then he he opens the lens, the broad lens, takes everything from eternity to lens, takes everything from eternity to lens, takes everything from eternity to eternity into account and rejoices in eternity into account and rejoices in eternity into account and rejoices in his judgments as righteous and just and his judgments as righteous and just and his judgments as righteous and just and holy. And I suspect he will perfect that holy. And I suspect he will perfect that holy. And I suspect he will perfect that same ability in us in due time. And then same ability in us in due time. And then same ability in us in due time. And then we'll be able to rejoice over his we'll be able to rejoice over his we'll be able to rejoice over his judgments, including hell, without being judgments, including hell, without being judgments, including hell, without being cruel or sadistic or pitiless.

cruel or sadistic or pitiless. cruel or sadistic or pitiless. One of the things that makes it so hard One of the things that makes it so hard One of the things that makes it so hard for us, I think, to feel the rightness for us, I think, to feel the rightness for us, I think, to feel the rightness of eternal conscious torment is that God of eternal conscious torment is that God of eternal conscious torment is that God is so small is so small is so small in our understanding and our affections. in our understanding and our affections. in our understanding and our affections. We we can't feel as we ought the outrage We we can't feel as we ought the outrage We we can't feel as we ought the outrage and the indignity and the criminality and the indignity and the criminality and the indignity and the criminality and the abhorrent evil of treating God and the abhorrent evil of treating God and the abhorrent evil of treating God as if he were no more than the carpet on as if he were no more than the carpet on as if he were no more than the carpet on our floor, our floor, our floor, which is the way 90 which is the way 90 which is the way 90 9% of human beings treat him, it seems. 9% of human beings treat him, it seems. 9% of human beings treat him, it seems. Try to imagine this. Try to imagine this. Try to imagine this. What would the judgment day What would the judgment day What would the judgment day look like? What might it look like when look like? What might it look like when look like? What might it look like when the true greatness and infinite worth the true greatness and infinite worth the true greatness and infinite worth and beauty of the creator of the and beauty of the creator of the and beauty of the creator of the universe and the redeemer through Jesus universe and the redeemer through Jesus universe and the redeemer through Jesus are revealed? are revealed? are revealed? And every manifestation of his goodness And every manifestation of his goodness And every manifestation of his goodness comes to light along with a lifetime of comes to light along with a lifetime of comes to light along with a lifetime of ingratitude ingratitude ingratitude and neglect and resistance and and neglect and resistance and and neglect and resistance and trivializing disregard trivializing disregard trivializing disregard which most people which most people which most people have in treating him have in treating him have in treating him that way.

that way. that way. It will be plain on that day It will be plain on that day It will be plain on that day that he sustained, that he sustained, that he sustained, for example, about 100,000 for example, about 100,000 for example, about 100,000 safe takeoffs and landings of commercial safe takeoffs and landings of commercial safe takeoffs and landings of commercial flights every day, day after day, year flights every day, day after day, year flights every day, day after day, year after year, with scarcely a single after year, with scarcely a single after year, with scarcely a single accident. And what does he get? Almost accident. And what does he get? Almost accident. And what does he get? Almost nobody thanks God for safe landings and nobody thanks God for safe landings and nobody thanks God for safe landings and safe takeoffs. safe takeoffs. safe takeoffs. He causes the sun to rise on 30,000 He causes the sun to rise on 30,000 He causes the sun to rise on 30,000 days days days of the average American life of the average American life of the average American life with almost no thanks. with almost no thanks. with almost no thanks. He sustains the infrastructure of He sustains the infrastructure of He sustains the infrastructure of thousands of days so that food can thousands of days so that food can thousands of days so that food can arrive at our stores and electricity and arrive at our stores and electricity and arrive at our stores and electricity and gas and water arrives in our houses gas and water arrives in our houses gas and water arrives in our houses and gets no thanks. and gets no thanks. and gets no thanks. He has sustained 3 billion heartbeats He has sustained 3 billion heartbeats He has sustained 3 billion heartbeats for every 80-year-old like me on the for every 80-year-old like me on the for every 80-year-old like me on the planet and 630 million breaths with a planet and 630 million breaths with a planet and 630 million breaths with a diaphragm that he worked, not you. You diaphragm that he worked, not you. You diaphragm that he worked, not you. You didn't ever tell your diaphragm to do didn't ever tell your diaphragm to do didn't ever tell your diaphragm to do anything and this list could be anything and this list could be anything and this list could be multiplied. This little teeny list of multiplied. This little teeny list of multiplied. This little teeny list of benefits could be multiplied hundreds of benefits could be multiplied hundreds of benefits could be multiplied hundreds of times over times over times over and my guess is, and I say it with and my guess is, and I say it with and my guess is, and I say it with trembling, nobody trembling, nobody trembling, nobody on that last day, on that last day, on that last day, not the nicest unbeliever you ever knew, not the nicest unbeliever you ever knew, not the nicest unbeliever you ever knew, will expect anything but hell

will expect anything but hell will expect anything but hell when all is revealed. Shame will cover when all is revealed. Shame will cover when all is revealed. Shame will cover our faces our faces our faces except for one thing. except for one thing. except for one thing. We have taken refuge We have taken refuge We have taken refuge under the blood of Jesus. under the blood of Jesus. under the blood of Jesus. >> Yeah, very sobering. >> Yeah, very sobering. >> Yeah, very sobering. The fact that God's final judgment is The fact that God's final judgment is The fact that God's final judgment is going to be perfectly just and holy and going to be perfectly just and holy and going to be perfectly just and holy and righteous and that we are going to be righteous and that we are going to be righteous and that we are going to be made perfect. We ourselves who are not made perfect. We ourselves who are not made perfect. We ourselves who are not yet perfect at all, we are going to be yet perfect at all, we are going to be yet perfect at all, we are going to be made perfect so that we can see it for made perfect so that we can see it for made perfect so that we can see it for what it really is and feel it, really what it really is and feel it, really what it really is and feel it, really feel it as we ought to feel it. feel it as we ought to feel it. feel it as we ought to feel it. End quote. End quote. End quote. Yeah, a new capacity in us to rejoice in Yeah, a new capacity in us to rejoice in Yeah, a new capacity in us to rejoice in God's final God's final God's final judgment. judgment. judgment. Not because we delight sadistically in Not because we delight sadistically in Not because we delight sadistically in the suffering of others or enjoy the suffering of others or enjoy the suffering of others or enjoy revenge, but because God's justice, his revenge, but because God's justice, his revenge, but because God's justice, his holiness, his righteousness, holiness, his righteousness, holiness, his righteousness, and his infinite worth will be perfectly and his infinite worth will be perfectly and his infinite worth will be perfectly vindicated. vindicated. vindicated. Which is why we are called to love our Which is why we are called to love our Which is why we are called to love our enemies and pray for the lost and share enemies and pray for the lost and share enemies and pray for the lost and share the gospel now as we looked at last the gospel now as we looked at last the gospel now as we looked at last time. Indeed, the time. Indeed, the time. Indeed, the world's hatred for God and his son is world's hatred for God and his son is world's hatred for God and his son is often expressed by just ignoring God and often expressed by just ignoring God and often expressed by just ignoring God and ignoring Christ, but we do sometimes get ignoring Christ, but we do sometimes get ignoring Christ, but we do sometimes get a glimpse of the open hostility, too, in a glimpse of the open hostility, too, in a glimpse of the open hostility, too, in our Bible reading today's particular is our Bible reading today's particular is our Bible reading today's particular is what I'm thinking of in Luke 20 what I'm thinking of in Luke 20 what I'm thinking of in Luke 20 in the parable of the wicked tenants.

in the parable of the wicked tenants. in the parable of the wicked tenants. Interesting timing with this episode and Interesting timing with this episode and Interesting timing with this episode and uh our Bible reading in the Navigator's uh our Bible reading in the Navigator's uh our Bible reading in the Navigator's Bible reading plan, Luke 20, the parable Bible reading plan, Luke 20, the parable Bible reading plan, Luke 20, the parable of the wicked tenants. You can see the of the wicked tenants. You can see the of the wicked tenants. You can see the animosity between the world and God and animosity between the world and God and animosity between the world and God and his son in that parable. his son in that parable. his son in that parable. Thank you for listening. You may be Thank you for listening. You may be Thank you for listening. You may be thinking of any number of many related thinking of any number of many related thinking of any number of many related topics. Now, uh isn't this life too topics. Now, uh isn't this life too topics. Now, uh isn't this life too short to determine the eternal destiny short to determine the eternal destiny short to determine the eternal destiny of a mortal? of a mortal? of a mortal? Isn't it unfair for eternity to be based Isn't it unfair for eternity to be based Isn't it unfair for eternity to be based on just a few decades of life in this on just a few decades of life in this on just a few decades of life in this world? We've looked at that, too. See world? We've looked at that, too. See world? We've looked at that, too. See the Ask the Pastor John book on page the Ask the Pastor John book on page the Ask the Pastor John book on page 360. 360. 360. That whole section has a lot of That whole section has a lot of That whole section has a lot of interesting topics on these questions interesting topics on these questions interesting topics on these questions about the eternal judgment, its purpose, about the eternal judgment, its purpose, about the eternal judgment, its purpose, and divine fairness and divine fairness and divine fairness uh as you think through this topic. uh as you think through this topic. uh as you think through this topic. We're back next time to talk to We're back next time to talk to We're back next time to talk to Christians, hurting Christians, Christians, hurting Christians, Christians, hurting Christians, Christians who are suffering. Christians who are suffering. Christians who are suffering. Uh God uses suffering in our lives to Uh God uses suffering in our lives to Uh God uses suffering in our lives to wean our hearts off this world so that wean our hearts off this world so that wean our hearts off this world so that we can find greater comforts in God we can find greater comforts in God we can find greater comforts in God himself. That's how it's supposed to himself. That's how it's supposed to himself. That's how it's supposed to work. work. work. But often that's not how it works. At But often that's not how it works. At But often that's not how it works. At first, pain may first drive us to anger, first, pain may first drive us to anger, first, pain may first drive us to anger, bitterness, bitterness, bitterness, or confusion. or confusion. or confusion. Next time, when suffering crushes our Next time, when suffering crushes our Next time, when suffering crushes our faith.

faith. faith. I'm Tony Reinke. We'll see you back here I'm Tony Reinke. We'll see you back here I'm Tony Reinke. We'll see you back here on Thursday.