Why Life is so unfair?

Why is Life so Unfair?

 

All of us have our ups and downs; times of ups for enjoyment and downs for reflection and strengthening our resolve. If the period of downs is protracted, sometimes it can sap one’s energy and confidence leading to depression. It is especially so when the downs are caused by external forces and not self-inflicted. Bitterness, sense of despair, loss, afflictions, these are some of the challenges of life that often people view as being victims of unfairness. Why does it happen to them and others get a better life? We may dismiss it as comparing one’s position with the more blessed and not the less; looking at material things and life on earth; the consequences of man’s actions which are allowed by God’s liberty.

But to the victim, it may be more than that. “Where is justice?” he asked after the person that killed his son is allowed to walk free for some reasons. The criminals and the oppressor get away with so much and they enjoy themselves despite overwhelming evidence of their misdeeds. Leaders are corrupt and they allow wrongs to be perpetrated and do not defend the wronged. Why do bad things happen to good people?

It is a hard question to answer. Often we are quite lost for words. God never promised us a bed of roses, and even if there is one, it may not last or is not as good as we think it should be because with it comes thorns and the flowers wilt. It is hard when someone becomes the recipient of numerous hardships and just don’t understand why life is so much more unfair to them.

To the aggrieved, life is likened to being on the fast track to hell. He feels its going to get worse. He just doesn’t know what to do anymore. He can’t take anything else that life wants to throw at him. Meanwhile, he looks at others, and understands that everyone has problems, but some people have it so easy!

Yes, there are injustices. Guiltless people are sent to prison. Terrorists strike at innocent citizens. Scholarship awards and entry into universities are presented for political reasons instead of merit. To rise up and fight against these and other forms of inequity is often beyond an individual.

Where can we find answers in a world that seems so unfair? What can we say to the person who is suffering? Or even to ourselves? These are some of the questions that haunt those who think about unfairness, injustice or inequalities.

Before we go into the bible for answers, let us take a look at  Nick Vujicic’s video which is a source of inspiration to many. It is an apt illustration of how one person overcame adverse physical handicap and is today completely at peace with his condition:

 

Nick is today  a spokesman for God.  Jn 9. James 1:3ff, Rom 8:28.

 PSALMS 73

Those who are familiar with the bible would have read of the sufferings of Job and how he overcame his condition. Lesser known but equally significant is Psalms Chapter 73 which expresses the anger, fear, and frustration of Asaph during times of affliction and then finding a new perspective when he focused on God.

Asaph was disappointed with the goings about him and he experienced a crisis of faith. He felt betrayed not only by life but by God. He assumed that the justice of God would be meted out in his time and is the only explanation for life’s present circumstances.

He struggled. His words and emotions have a pained, focused intensity. In a way, Asaph was speaking for some of us. He believed in God and goodness and justice, but his experience didn’t match up with his convictions. He needed answers.

FEELING OF DESPAIR

As Asaph recounted his experience, he began to expose his heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped (v.2). He recounted his thoughts with honesty. He was envious of the boastful; when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (v.3). His painful self-admission challenges us to be authentic and honest with ourselves—and with God.

Asaph’s belief system told him that if he trusted God everything would turn out right—eventually. But eventually seems far away when you are in the midst of suffering and you must watch as others seem to benefit from their wrongdoing.

THE INEQUITY OF LIFE

Asaph struggled over the unfairness he saw all around him. People who had no time for God prospered while people of faith suffered. That’s still true today, isn’t it?

4For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. 6Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. 7Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish. 8They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. 9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.

The unprincipled mocked not only those who value character but God in whom they put their trust.

They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” (v.11). They behave as if God does not know and is powerless, that this life is all there is. We see that happening today, when those entrusted with responsibility abused the trust placed upon them and despite overwhelming evidences, continued to behave as if many wrongs could become right and many lies become truth.

ASAPH’S DISCOURAGING CONCLUSION

Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches (v.12). The ungodly were prospering, apparently immune to the normal problems of life.

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. Asaph was questioning the value of his trust in God. He practiced integrity and was faithful. But now, in his despair, he wondered if his pursuit had been worthless.

He was ready to give up and desert. Doubts can make one confused and want to give up.

For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning (v.14). His response was understandable—“It doesn’t make sense, so why bother?”

ASAPH’S FEAR

If I had said, “I will speak thus,” behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children (v.15). He wanted to declare his disapproval of God’s handling of life but he stopped short. As he contemplated this dangerous position, something slowly began to reel him back in.

As David’s chief musician, he was a man of spiritual influence. Such a position carried with it a great responsibility. He saw the negative impact such a choice would have on those around him.

 ASAPH’S SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Asaph’s realization serves as a reminder to us as well, for we too must be discerning. With whom do we share our angry concerns, fears, doubts, and crises? We all have a responsibility to one another, and it is that sense of responsibility for others that can provide restraint and self-control as we work through our own anger and sense of betrayal.
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me (v.16). Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood . . . (v.17).

The word sanctuary appears in the Old Testament refers to the tabernacle, the place of worship for Israel. Sometimes the word sanctuary refers to abiding in the presence of God (Isa. 8:14). Christ Himself moved away from the crowds, the work, and the disciples and went to a mountain alone to spend time with His Father.

Sanctuary suggests being in private for spiritual rest and renewal, being one with God. A time spent meditating on God’s words and allowing the scripture to speak to us.

ASAPH’S SANCTUARY

Asaph found restoration. In verse 17, he found new perspective and understanding. In the presence of his God, everything changed despite his circumstances. It was as if his eyesight had been corrected. In the sanctuary, he saw how different those same inequities should be viewed when God judges.

When God is at the center of our vision, we see things as they really are.

THE END OF THE REBEL

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. 18Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. 19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. 20As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image.”

He could finally see as God sees, and understand what was in store for the wicked was not a pretty sight.

These individuals seemed completely safe. But they were on shaky ground and headed for destruction. When Asaph saw them as they would be on the day of judgment, he stopped envying them. Not only were these “prosperous wicked” headed for judgment, they didn’t see it coming. When God moves against them, His judgment will be without remedy.

His anger softened. Now, instead of pointing his finger at those who seemed to be escaping the justice of God, he began looking at himself.

THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You (vv.21-22).

In the place of worship, Asaph discovered that the real problem had been with himself. He was pierced within. He changed his perspective and found himself filled with overflowing gratefulness and confidence in God. There is no greater source of courage than the knowledge that God will never leave nor forsake us. This is the same assurance that Christ would later give His disciples when He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20).

God’s presence, strength, and wisdom will never end. Asaph knew that when life had run its course, God would fulfill His promise of a home with Him forever.

In the closing verses of Psalm 73, Asaph recounted what he learned from his struggle.

God Is More Important Than Anything Else In Life.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You (v.25). Asaph realized that God was ultimately all he had and all he needed. He could rest in God’s care and have the confidence that nothing else deserved to be compared to his Lord.

God Is All The Strength We Need.

My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (v.26). From those moments when Asaph would be tempted to rely on his own strength or his own solutions, he now discovered that only in God could he find the unending strength he needed.

God Will Be As Fair As He Is Merciful.

For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry (v.27). Asaph acknowledged that those matters must be entrusted to God. As Abraham said, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25). Asaph trust that the Lord, in His own timing and wisdom, would deal mercifully but justly with all the inequities of life.

God Draws Near To Those Who Draw Near To Him.

But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works (v.28). Asaph’s responsibility was not to justify everything or try to manipulate justice out of injustice. He learned that his responsibility in all of life was, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (Jas. 4:8).

CONCLUSION

The reality is God, in goodness and omnipotence, is in control—even when we suffer and don’t know why. He ended up with a deep, tested, personal conviction of the confession he alluded to as he began his story:

Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart (v.1). At the end of his season of struggle with doubt, he realized that God does bless the “pure in heart.”

The Bible doesn’t promise us a life free of pain, difficulty, or loss. Christians are not exempt from struggle, heartache, or disappointment. And sometimes we’ll find that in the midst of periods of joy and blessing will come episodes when we desperately need a renewed perspective.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6).

 Presented on 23rd Aug 2009

New Work In Kota Kemuning

New Work in Kota Kemuning

 

There is something to be said about church work. James says, show me your faith without your work and I will show you my faith by my work. Without work faith is dead (James 2:14-26). Work is important; we are not justified by faith alone. In work, faith is made perfect.

The book of Revelations (Chapter 2 and 3) describes Jesus’ vision concerning the seven churches in Asia Minor. He revealed that God knew the works of the churches. Many of these churches met with God’s displeasure. Some were luke warm whilst others have lost their first love. What was this first love that Christ spoke about? Is it loving God as He loved us and if so how do we exhibit that love? Was it building up each other’s faith? Or is it in defending the truth? All of which I must say are important and part of the duties of the church, the pillar of truth.

But there is something about that first love that is found in new converts the day they were baptized that God said was missing. Remember the time when we were reborn as new babe in Christ. How delighted, earnest we were and we went about telling others of this new found love for God and preaching to friends and relatives that they too can enjoy this hope of salvation. What did Andrew do when he first discovered the Lord – John 1:41? Similarly what did Philip first do when he discovered the Lord”? John 1:45; What did the Samaritan woman in John 4 first do when she discovered the Jesus? John 4:28,29. What did Matthew do? Matt. 9:9. What did Paul first do? Gal 1:17-22, etc It is that first love that we must return to. The woman at the well went about proclaiming of the Messiah that she met, the Ethiopian eunuch went about rejoicing, the early Christians sharing everything that they have in common and they met daily exhorting one another. That love that they had went cold. And our God said that He will spew them out or have the candle stick removed. Evangelism and missionary work is the lifeblood of the Church. The Ephesians had left their first love for God. Although they still maintained the doctrines of religion, and opposed the advocates of error, they showed less ardour of affection towards him directly than they had formerly done.

Likewise, we must not allow what happened to the Ephesians to affect us and seek to revive and recover that first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and pray earnestly, and watch diligently, as we did when we first became new babes in Christ. The Ephesians church became complacent and lethargic, leaving their first love. Loving God requires every part of us to return to that love from which we are loved by God. How is our first love? Is it still burning hot and strong, proclaiming to the world that we are Christians and we have the word of God to share? Are we still active in saving souls or is our oil running out? If our flame of love for Him is flickering, there is a need to discover a way to rekindle that fire and the love we have left.

Individually we too have instructions to go forth into the world to preach, baptizing them into Christ and teaching them to observe all that were taught. This is Christ’s parting words to his disciples, these words are critical to how we serve in his Kingdom. Matt 28: 18-20 is well understood as Christ’s Great Commission. Perhaps we may lost focus and are too preoccupied with matters of administrative nature (housekeeping as it is usually termed) than to do the will of God. Like the early apostles we should not be pre-occupied with serving tables alone? (Acts 6:2-4 or Luke 10:40-42 concerning Martha’s preoccupation with serving).

Having added the new babes in Christ upon their obedience to the gospel, we have to teach and minister to the new babes. John 21: 15-17, Christ pulled aside Peter, and painstakingly repeated three times to his chief disciple, “Feed & Tend my sheep”. The call to the leaders is clear; the children of God need to be tended to. Their spiritual and physical needs must be identified and attended and it is best looked into when there is a local church to minister to such needs and elders are appointed to such tasks.

Additionally, we are asked to cloth and feed the least of them in the kingdom (Matt 25:34-40) and to preach in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:2). The call to preach and teach to all nations is a call to evangelise, to save as many whose hearts are touched and who respond. The labourers are few and the field is ripe unto harvest. It is incumbent upon each of us to do our part and not to leave it to others or the full time workers. The apostles went to the field and they helped in the formation of many churches in the cities that they visited beginning with the church in Antioch.

When asked upon to serve, the brethren in K Kemuning and Shah Alam did not hesitate. Like the prophet in Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Here I am! my co-workers in the faith resounded. They did so when they pledged to serve, when they gave so liberally and when they did not hesitate to be a part of this new work. This collective decision to start a new work in KK is the first step forward. Having decided, the plans are currently being placed into action.

Is there a need to start a new church?

This work is not starting because the founding members are displeased with their current congregation or leadership, it is not because they are seeking honour or have nothing better to do, it is not because they have been pushed into it, or that they are power crazy. Why start a new work you may ask and reduce the numbers in the respective congregations? Allow me to suggest that bigger is not necessarily better. Small and medium size churches have their place in the Kingdom of God. We must not think that only the larger churches are truly “successful”. As a matter of fact, studies in the States showed what many of us sense intuitively, that the small and midsize churches are often healthier and more effective in such things as evangelism, ministry, community life, and members’ participation in church activities than large and mega churches. There is certainly an important place for larger churches! But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that only the larger church is healthy and successful. We should see the landscape of the country dotted with many churches of 50 as well as some of 100 or 500 or even 1,000.

Perhaps one of the motivations in starting a new work is to make it convenient for the lost to hear the word of God. If there is a local congregation in their neighbourhood, then the visibility and presence may make it easier to reach out to them. This effort can take the form of local tract distribution, invitation to neighbours, or drop-ins. When the word is preached and obeyed, the new babe in Christ is added to the church. Now if there is a congregation nearby then the new babe can attend services there. Yes, with modern transportation, the distance one has to travel is less of an issue, but for many who cannot travel the distance or have higher inertia, the closeness of the place of assembly helps.

Another motivation is the push factor. If we are not pushed to do the extra, we may not grow as fast. SJ is an example. Today SJ has more than 70 members including school going teenagers but excluding young children. Had the previous members stayed on in their respective congregations, there may be no congregation in SJ and the numbers in their previous congregation may not be much higher because of limitation of space.

Teaching the new converts. Churches are platform to teach and to observe all that our Lord commanded. The great commission requires us to teach the new converts to observe all things. The church is entrusted with the responsibility to teach, strengthen and to encourage one another. When travelling becomes a problem, new converts may use that as an excuse to look for another closer to home. At this point they are young in faith and easily swayed by friends and relatives. Once they have informed their friends that they have just become Christians, everyone seems to have a say on the matter. And they can return to their old ways or to another congregation thinking that all churches are the same.

The Biblical Example. We read in Acts that there are local churches in each city that the disciples visited. Whether it is in a home or a meeting place, the church exists when there gathered two or more Christians.

Contending for the faith. Do we let other churches proliferate or must we do our part to teach the truth? ….because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” I John 4:1 …..and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unnoticed. Jude 3, 4a How effective are we if we do not start a work? Jesus not only promised He would build His Church, but He instruct that the church do its part and to preach and to teach and for disciples to observe all things taught as “. . . the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15)

New churches challenge other churches to self-examination. The “success” of new churches often challenges older congregations in general to evaluate themselves in substantial ways. Sometimes it is only in contrast with a new church that older churches can finally define their own vision, specialties, and identity. Often the growth of the new congregation gives the older churches hope that ‘it can be done’, and may even bring about greater enthusiasm and positive attitude. Example when we read of conversions in numbers among those working in Batu Pahat, Yong Peng, Kuching or Kuantan. Such encourages us and reminds us that we are on the right track.

The Work in KK

 When K Kemuning started as a home fellowship 5 years ago, we were supported by many Klang brethren, most of whom have stayed until this day. As a home fellowship the emphasis is on building closer rapport with each other and visitors. Over the years we have various guests but few were converted. There are limitations of using home meetings as an outreach esp if such home is far from the places of worship. It is well and easy for us to stay this way and enjoy the great fellowship and food that the wives prepare each meeting. The question posed was, do we stay the same or do better? The evangelism seminar and the meeting among the leaders this year (2009) became an opportune time for us to reflect. Cheras started with a small number and they did not wait too long before they launched into full evening service. Kepong as an outreach started with even less members, most of whom came from outside Kepong. On the other hand, KK has 5 or more families and the township is ripe unto harvest, yet we remained status quo.

I am happy to find comrade in service in the person of the founding members, their dedication and enthusiasm despite the odds. Not just work to be done but sacrifices to be made. I am encouraged by the support of these brethren; they readily take up responsibilities and give so generously. Like the Macedonians, they gave liberally. Five families and over RM30K pledged for a new work. The brethren were willing to offer their services, to relocate away from a congregation they grow up with, where they were so well established with so many friends and relatives, comfortable and well accepted in the current congregation to a new challenge and into uncharted territory. I am sure it was not an easy decision for all despite willingness of the spirit.

We are starting small. Everyone has a role and a duty to perform. A Protem committee has been set up.

PRAYER – We seek after God’s guidance and enabling, for God to open doors and generate contacts in the community, for God to raise up the church and for God to use this work to bring glory to His name, to bring the Gospel to the lost, to “build his church” (Matthew 16:18). Right from the beginning prayer of this nature affirms that this is all about GOD and what HE wants to do. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labour in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. Ps 127:1

Building a house and watching over a city cannot succeed (according to divine standards of success) if God is not included in man’s plans and efforts. We are reminded of the planting of God to bring forth fruit to His glory. 1 Cor. 3:10 “According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 

 Do keep us in your prayers and that our work will withstand the test of fire.

10th August 2009