How a Crushed Faith Comes Home

[music] [music] >> We talk often about suffering at >> We talk often about suffering at >> We talk often about suffering at Desiring God. Suffering saints send Desiring God. Suffering saints send Desiring God. Suffering saints send emails to us just about daily, dark, emails to us just about daily, dark, emails to us just about daily, dark, wrenching emails describing life pain in wrenching emails describing life pain in wrenching emails describing life pain in very vivid detail. very vivid detail. very vivid detail. For us to see those emails to the For us to see those emails to the For us to see those emails to the podcast are not accidents. We know many podcast are not accidents. We know many podcast are not accidents. We know many of you out there are suffering. of you out there are suffering. of you out there are suffering. And suffering has become a major theme And suffering has become a major theme And suffering has become a major theme for us over the years. It's especially for us over the years. It's especially for us over the years. It's especially suited to Christian hedonism as Pastor suited to Christian hedonism as Pastor suited to Christian hedonism as Pastor John, you have developed it over the John, you have developed it over the John, you have developed it over the years. years. years. God's design in our suffering fits our God's design in our suffering fits our God's design in our suffering fits our theology of our deepening joy in God. theology of our deepening joy in God. theology of our deepening joy in God. And it fits our employee team as well. And it fits our employee team as well. And it fits our employee team as well. I'm thinking of John Knight, a man so I'm thinking of John Knight, a man so I'm thinking of John Knight, a man so beloved here at Desiring God. So, we beloved here at Desiring God. So, we beloved here at Desiring God. So, we talk a lot about how God uses suffering talk a lot about how God uses suffering talk a lot about how God uses suffering to win our hearts off this world so that to win our hearts off this world so that to win our hearts off this world so that we can find greater delight in him. we can find greater delight in him. we can find greater delight in him. That's how it's supposed to work. That's how it's supposed to work. That's how it's supposed to work. Building our faith stronger. Building our faith stronger. Building our faith stronger. 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. first. first. Today on Ask Pastor John, how a crushed Today on Ask Pastor John, how a crushed Today on Ask Pastor John, how a crushed faith faith faith comes home. comes home. comes home. A listener named Rachel asks the A listener named Rachel asks the A listener named Rachel asks the question, "Hi Pastor John, in your question, "Hi Pastor John, in your question, "Hi Pastor John, in your devotional Suffering That Crushes Faith, devotional Suffering That Crushes Faith, devotional Suffering That Crushes Faith, you explain that suffering can drive us you explain that suffering can drive us you explain that suffering can drive us either toward or away from God.

either toward or away from God. either toward or away from God. You write this, quote, 'If you think You write this, quote, 'If you think You write this, quote, 'If you think your suffering is pointless or that God your suffering is pointless or that God your suffering is pointless or that God is not in control or that he is a is not in control or that he is a is not in control or that he is a whimsical or cruel, then your suffering whimsical or cruel, then your suffering whimsical or cruel, then your suffering will drive you from God instead of will drive you from God instead of will drive you from God instead of driving you from everything but God as driving you from everything but God as driving you from everything but God as it should.' it should.' it should.' So, it is crucial that faith in God's So, it is crucial that faith in God's So, it is crucial that faith in God's grace includes the faith that he gives grace includes the faith that he gives grace includes the faith that he gives grace through suffering. grace through suffering. grace through suffering. End quote. End quote. End quote. What if suffering has already driven What if suffering has already driven What if suffering has already driven someone away from the Lord? What if someone away from the Lord? What if someone away from the Lord? What if because of suffering because of suffering because of suffering you feel distant from him as if he's you feel distant from him as if he's you feel distant from him as if he's angry, disappointed, or no longer hears angry, disappointed, or no longer hears angry, disappointed, or no longer hears or cares for you? or cares for you? or cares for you? It's a frightening place to be. It's a frightening place to be. It's a frightening place to be. How do I come back from this? How do I How do I come back from this? How do I How do I come back from this? How do I begin to believe that the Lord is with begin to believe that the Lord is with begin to believe that the Lord is with me an ever-present help in times of me an ever-present help in times of me an ever-present help in times of trouble, faithful, loving, and caring? trouble, faithful, loving, and caring? trouble, faithful, loving, and caring? Is it too late for someone like me whose Is it too late for someone like me whose Is it too late for someone like me whose faith has been crushed, not strengthened faith has been crushed, not strengthened faith has been crushed, not strengthened by suffering. by suffering. by suffering. I felt your devotion was a good warning, I felt your devotion was a good warning, I felt your devotion was a good warning, but for those of us in this position, it but for those of us in this position, it but for those of us in this position, it leaves a sense of hopelessness leaves a sense of hopelessness leaves a sense of hopelessness without guidance on how suffering can without guidance on how suffering can without guidance on how suffering can draw us closer to God and strengthen our draw us closer to God and strengthen our draw us closer to God and strengthen our faith in the end. faith in the end. faith in the end. >> I'm so glad Rachel has asked this >> I'm so glad Rachel has asked this >> I'm so glad Rachel has asked this question because I would hate to leave question because I would hate to leave question because I would hate to leave the impression the impression the impression from that devotional that our experience from that devotional that our experience from that devotional that our experience of suffering at the front end of suffering at the front end of suffering at the front end is the only is the only is the only it can be redemptive or destructive. If it can be redemptive or destructive. If it can be redemptive or destructive. If I left that impression, I certainly I left that impression, I certainly I left that impression, I certainly don't want to. So, let me clarify that don't want to. So, let me clarify that don't want to. So, let me clarify that yes, when suffering strikes, yes, when suffering strikes, yes, when suffering strikes, it can drive you to God it can drive you to God it can drive you to God or it can drive you from God. That's

or it can drive you from God. That's or it can drive you from God. That's true, but neither of those has to be the true, but neither of those has to be the true, but neither of those has to be the end of the story. end of the story. end of the story. Some Some Some who turned to God in their suffering who turned to God in their suffering who turned to God in their suffering may later make shipwreck of their faith. may later make shipwreck of their faith. may later make shipwreck of their faith. And some who turned away from God in And some who turned away from God in And some who turned away from God in their suffering their suffering their suffering may later be turned back by that very may later be turned back by that very may later be turned back by that very extension of suffering in their lives to extension of suffering in their lives to extension of suffering in their lives to God, the God of patience, the God of God, the God of patience, the God of God, the God of patience, the God of hope. hope. hope. So, let's take a few biblical examples So, let's take a few biblical examples So, let's take a few biblical examples so uh Rachel can see, we all can see so uh Rachel can see, we all can see so uh Rachel can see, we all can see it's not just my opinion, but God's plan it's not just my opinion, but God's plan it's not just my opinion, but God's plan for some of his beleaguered people for some of his beleaguered people for some of his beleaguered people to come back to come back to come back after turning away. after turning away. after turning away. The first one that came to my mind was The first one that came to my mind was The first one that came to my mind was the prodigal son. the prodigal son. the prodigal son. Now, of course, Now, of course, Now, of course, it's not suffering that drove him away it's not suffering that drove him away it's not suffering that drove him away at first. I know that. at first. I know that. at first. I know that. It was just sheer rebellious love for It was just sheer rebellious love for It was just sheer rebellious love for the world, the world, the world, not not love for his father. So, he not not love for his father. So, he not not love for his father. So, he takes his inheritance and he goes to a takes his inheritance and he goes to a takes his inheritance and he goes to a far country and he squanders it in far country and he squanders it in far country and he squanders it in dissolute living, and then the suffering dissolute living, and then the suffering dissolute living, and then the suffering comes.

comes. comes. Now, what's his first response? Now, what's his first response? Now, what's his first response? It's not to go back to his father. It's not to go back to his father. It's not to go back to his father. His first response is to get a job, try His first response is to get a job, try His first response is to get a job, try to fix the problem. to fix the problem. to fix the problem. So, when he had spent everything, it So, when he had spent everything, it So, when he had spent everything, it says, "A severe famine across the says, "A severe famine across the says, "A severe famine across the country country country uh came and he began to be in need. So, uh came and he began to be in need. So, uh came and he began to be in need. So, he went and hired himself out to one of he went and hired himself out to one of he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country." That's the citizens of that country." That's the citizens of that country." That's his first move. I'm I'm going to fix his first move. I'm I'm going to fix his first move. I'm I'm going to fix this and get back on my happy track. this and get back on my happy track. this and get back on my happy track. And they sent him into the fields to And they sent him into the fields to And they sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. feed the pigs. feed the pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the And he was longing to be fed with the And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate. No one gave him pods that the pigs ate. No one gave him pods that the pigs ate. No one gave him anything. He's miserable. anything. He's miserable. anything. He's miserable. And he's miserable because he didn't go And he's miserable because he didn't go And he's miserable because he didn't go back to his father right away. back to his father right away. back to his father right away. The suffering didn't turn him home The suffering didn't turn him home The suffering didn't turn him home immediately. immediately. immediately. And then he says, And then he says, And then he says, "I'll get myself out of this suffering "I'll get myself out of this suffering "I'll get myself out of this suffering my myself my myself my myself with with feeding these pigs, uh put with with feeding these pigs, uh put with with feeding these pigs, uh put some money in the bank, get back to my some money in the bank, get back to my some money in the bank, get back to my good life." And it didn't work. So, what good life." And it didn't work. So, what good life." And it didn't work. So, what happened?

happened? happened? When he came to himself, he said, "How When he came to himself, he said, "How When he came to himself, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have many of my father's hired servants have many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish more than enough bread, but I perish more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger? here with hunger? here with hunger? I will arise and go to my father." I will arise and go to my father." I will arise and go to my father." That's what Rachel can do. That's what Rachel can do. That's what Rachel can do. His misery mingled with the grace of God His misery mingled with the grace of God His misery mingled with the grace of God woke him up woke him up woke him up to the foolishness of trying to solve to the foolishness of trying to solve to the foolishness of trying to solve his suffering on his own. And so, his his suffering on his own. And so, his his suffering on his own. And so, his suffering drives him back to the father. suffering drives him back to the father. suffering drives him back to the father. And my point is it didn't happen right And my point is it didn't happen right And my point is it didn't happen right away, and it doesn't happen right away away, and it doesn't happen right away away, and it doesn't happen right away for a lot of people. for a lot of people. for a lot of people. People are driven away from God by their People are driven away from God by their People are driven away from God by their suffering, and then they realize there suffering, and then they realize there suffering, and then they realize there is no hope in this suffering without is no hope in this suffering without is no hope in this suffering without God. God. God. And then there's Naomi. And then there's Naomi. And then there's Naomi. Ruth's mother-in-law. Ruth's mother-in-law. Ruth's mother-in-law. She's driven out of her land by famine. She's driven out of her land by famine. She's driven out of her land by famine. Her husband dies. Her two sons-in-law Her husband dies. Her two sons-in-law Her husband dies. Her two sons-in-law die. One of her daughters-in-law returns die. One of her daughters-in-law returns die. One of her daughters-in-law returns to her people, and only Ruth is left.

to her people, and only Ruth is left. to her people, and only Ruth is left. And so, the suffering drives them home And so, the suffering drives them home And so, the suffering drives them home back to a Bethlehem. But, what does back to a Bethlehem. But, what does back to a Bethlehem. But, what does Naomi say as she arrives? Naomi say as she arrives? Naomi say as she arrives? She said to them, She said to them, She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi, "Do not call me Naomi, "Do not call me Naomi, which means pleasant. Call me Mara, which means pleasant. Call me Mara, which means pleasant. Call me Mara, which means bitter, for the Almighty has which means bitter, for the Almighty has which means bitter, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. dealt very bitterly with me. dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has I went away full, and the Lord has I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has testified against me, when the Lord has testified against me, when the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has brought calamity and the Almighty has brought calamity and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?" upon me?" upon me?" This is not a looking to the Lord for This is not a looking to the Lord for This is not a looking to the Lord for help in her suffering. This is a sinking help in her suffering. This is a sinking help in her suffering. This is a sinking in bitterness. in bitterness. in bitterness. The suffering did not at first drive The suffering did not at first drive The suffering did not at first drive Naomi to God. Naomi to God. Naomi to God. It drove her to complain against God. It drove her to complain against God. It drove her to complain against God. But, that's not the end of the story. But, that's not the end of the story. But, that's not the end of the story. The faithfulness of Ruth, the The faithfulness of Ruth, the The faithfulness of Ruth, the faithfulness of Boaz, and God's mercy to faithfulness of Boaz, and God's mercy to faithfulness of Boaz, and God's mercy to Naomi bring her to herself, Naomi bring her to herself, Naomi bring her to herself, and the story ends and the story ends and the story ends with Naomi hearing these words.

with Naomi hearing these words. with Naomi hearing these words. "Then the women said to Naomi, "Then the women said to Naomi, "Then the women said to Naomi, 'Blessed be the Lord who has not left 'Blessed be the Lord who has not left 'Blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day without a redeemer. you this day without a redeemer. you this day without a redeemer. And may his name be renowned in And may his name be renowned in And may his name be renowned in Israel.'" Israel.'" Israel.'" So, finally, Naomi could see. She could So, finally, Naomi could see. She could So, finally, Naomi could see. She could see now the good hand of God in all that see now the good hand of God in all that see now the good hand of God in all that she had been through. Amazingly good she had been through. Amazingly good she had been through. Amazingly good hand, and hand, and hand, and what incredible things he had in store what incredible things he had in store what incredible things he had in store for her for her for her and her lineage. and her lineage. and her lineage. And And finally, perhaps everyone would And And finally, perhaps everyone would And And finally, perhaps everyone would think of Job. think of Job. think of Job. He's He's an interesting character He's He's an interesting character He's He's an interesting character because he's he's wonderful, he's good, because he's he's wonderful, he's good, because he's he's wonderful, he's good, he's a good man, he's a complex person. he's a good man, he's a complex person. he's a good man, he's a complex person. When his possessions and his family were When his possessions and his family were When his possessions and his family were destroyed, destroyed, destroyed, he set a beautiful example for us. he set a beautiful example for us. he set a beautiful example for us. He rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, He rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, He rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell on the ground, and worshipped. fell on the ground, and worshipped. fell on the ground, and worshipped. And said, "The Lord gave, And said, "The Lord gave, And said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. and the Lord has taken away. and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Blessed be the name of the Lord." Blessed be the name of the Lord." But, when the suffering went on and on, But, when the suffering went on and on, But, when the suffering went on and on, the boils were horrible, the boils were horrible, the boils were horrible, he lost his peace. he lost his peace. he lost his peace. And he said some terrible things about And he said some terrible things about And he said some terrible things about God. God. God. That God was his enemy, which was not That God was his enemy, which was not That God was his enemy, which was not true. true. true. So, God intervened. So, God intervened. So, God intervened. And he brought Job And he brought Job And he brought Job again again again to repentance. to repentance. to repentance. And he put his hand on his mouth. And he put his hand on his mouth. And he put his hand on his mouth. Job did. He put his hand on his mouth. Job did. He put his hand on his mouth. Job did. He put his hand on his mouth. And he worshipped again. So, Job is an And he worshipped again. So, Job is an And he worshipped again. So, Job is an example of responding well example of responding well example of responding well to suffering, and then responding badly to suffering, and then responding badly to suffering, and then responding badly to suffering, and then responding well to suffering, and then responding well to suffering, and then responding well again after a season. And Rachel, again after a season. And Rachel, again after a season. And Rachel, I'm sure I'm sure I'm sure you know people you know people you know people who are alive today who are alive today who are alive today who provide contemporary examples of who provide contemporary examples of who provide contemporary examples of this very thing. One thinks, for this very thing. One thinks, for this very thing. One thinks, for example, of Joni Eareckson Tada, who has example, of Joni Eareckson Tada, who has example, of Joni Eareckson Tada, who has written her own story about her broken written her own story about her broken written her own story about her broken neck and her paralysis neck and her paralysis neck and her paralysis that did not send her flying immediately that did not send her flying immediately that did not send her flying immediately with trust to an all-sovereign God. That with trust to an all-sovereign God. That with trust to an all-sovereign God. That came later came later came later through wonderful discoveries of God's through wonderful discoveries of God's through wonderful discoveries of God's grace and important people in her life.

grace and important people in her life. grace and important people in her life. My friend John Knight, who works at My friend John Knight, who works at My friend John Knight, who works at Desiring God, would not mind me telling Desiring God, would not mind me telling Desiring God, would not mind me telling you that when his son, 2 and 1/2 decades you that when his son, 2 and 1/2 decades you that when his son, 2 and 1/2 decades ago, ago, ago, when his son Paul was born without any when his son Paul was born without any when his son Paul was born without any eyes, eyes, eyes, sent John into a deep season of sent John into a deep season of sent John into a deep season of wrestling with God, wrestling with God, wrestling with God, pulling back from church and God's pulling back from church and God's pulling back from church and God's people, people, people, and then, after a season, God gloriously and then, after a season, God gloriously and then, after a season, God gloriously steps in steps in steps in and causes John Knight to become one of and causes John Knight to become one of and causes John Knight to become one of the most articulate spokesman that I the most articulate spokesman that I the most articulate spokesman that I know of on behalf of the sovereignty of know of on behalf of the sovereignty of know of on behalf of the sovereignty of God and his love for people with God and his love for people with God and his love for people with disabilities. disabilities. disabilities. So, Rachel, So, Rachel, So, Rachel, please be encouraged that no matter how please be encouraged that no matter how please be encouraged that no matter how torturous torturous torturous your pilgrimage into suffering has been, your pilgrimage into suffering has been, your pilgrimage into suffering has been, no matter how crushed your faith may no matter how crushed your faith may no matter how crushed your faith may have felt, the word from God for you is have felt, the word from God for you is have felt, the word from God for you is that there is a way home. that there is a way home. that there is a way home. He knows our frame. He knows our frame. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust. As high He remembers that we are dust. As high He remembers that we are dust. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so as the heavens are above the earth, so as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards great is his steadfast love towards great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him.

those who fear him. those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so As far as the east is from the west, so As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions far does he remove our transgressions far does he remove our transgressions from us. That's who awaits us when we from us. That's who awaits us when we from us. That's who awaits us when we turn toward home. turn toward home. turn toward home. >> Yes, there's always a way home. >> Yes, there's always a way home. >> Yes, there's always a way home. When suffering strikes, it can drive you When suffering strikes, it can drive you When suffering strikes, it can drive you to God or can drive you from God. That's to God or can drive you from God. That's to God or can drive you from God. That's true, but neither of those has to be the true, but neither of those has to be the true, but neither of those has to be the end of the story. end of the story. end of the story. Yes. Suffering may first drive someone Yes. Suffering may first drive someone Yes. Suffering may first drive someone into anger, bitterness, self-reliance, into anger, bitterness, self-reliance, into anger, bitterness, self-reliance, or confusion, and yet later become the or confusion, and yet later become the or confusion, and yet later become the very means by which God brings that very means by which God brings that very means by which God brings that person home, as we see for ourselves in person home, as we see for ourselves in person home, as we see for ourselves in the prodigal son, Naomi, Job, Joni the prodigal son, Naomi, Job, Joni the prodigal son, Naomi, Job, Joni Eareckson Tada, and our good friend John Eareckson Tada, and our good friend John Eareckson Tada, and our good friend John Knight. Knight. Knight. Speaking of the much beloved John Knight Speaking of the much beloved John Knight Speaking of the much beloved John Knight and the sorrow of the shattered dreams and the sorrow of the shattered dreams and the sorrow of the shattered dreams he had for his beloved son he had for his beloved son he had for his beloved son and resulting anger, and resulting anger, and resulting anger, um um um and then eventually into a deeper trust and then eventually into a deeper trust and then eventually into a deeper trust and joy in God. If you don't know his and joy in God. If you don't know his and joy in God. If you don't know his story, you need to. Back in 2012, I story, you need to. Back in 2012, I story, you need to. Back in 2012, I edited a little book you can get for edited a little book you can get for edited a little book you can get for free at Desiring God. It's called free at Desiring God. It's called free at Desiring God. It's called Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God.

God. God. Uh you can find it on the books page at Uh you can find it on the books page at Uh you can find it on the books page at Desiring God, desiringgod.org/books. Desiring God, desiringgod.org/books. Desiring God, desiringgod.org/books. Uh Disability and the Sovereign Goodness Uh Disability and the Sovereign Goodness Uh Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God. of God. of God. In that little book on pages 30 to 58, In that little book on pages 30 to 58, In that little book on pages 30 to 58, you can read Pastor John's three-part you can read Pastor John's three-part you can read Pastor John's three-part interview with John Knight. We interview with John Knight. We interview with John Knight. We transcribed that for you to see for transcribed that for you to see for transcribed that for you to see for yourselves. You really need to read it, yourselves. You really need to read it, yourselves. You really need to read it, especially if you're suffering through especially if you're suffering through especially if you're suffering through uh the pain of a loved one. Especially uh the pain of a loved one. Especially uh the pain of a loved one. Especially would be relevant. would be relevant. would be relevant. Life-changing stuff. Life-changing Life-changing stuff. Life-changing Life-changing stuff. Life-changing story. Lord, thank you for Johnny and story. Lord, thank you for Johnny and story. Lord, thank you for Johnny and thank you for John Knight. thank you for John Knight. thank you for John Knight. 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 Monday. Thanks for listening.