When Grief Changes God

“Then I said, “It is my grief, that the right hand of the Most High has changed.’” ~ Ps 77:10

Pain often has a way of skewing how we see God. Like storm clouds hide the warm rays of the sun, suffering can overshadow God’s compassion, mercy, love. Some moments it seems to whisper, “God isn’t good.” At other times, it screams, “God has left you.”

Perhaps you have felt, or are feeling, something similar. Sorrow so great that nothing seems to bring relief. God feels thousands of miles away. Perhaps it’s a break up, a job loss, a car crash. Maybe a loved one died, or it’s an addiction you can’t shake, or loneliness that causes your heart to ache. Whatever the cause of pain, it feels impossible to find comfort. You look to God and find nothing. Friends’ words offer no lasting hope. It appears God has fled the scene.

This is exactly what Asaph, author of Psalm 77, experienced. While we don’t know the specifics of his circumstance, it was powerful enough to rock his world. He could find no escape from his sorrow. He laments, “my soul refused to be comforted” (77:2). He wondered if God had stopped loving him. Had God abandoned His people? Had He spent all His grace? Would God no longer forgive, restore, rebuild? Had His anger sapped all His compassion?

But in the midst of the darkness of questioning God’s character, a light began to shine. Asaph awakened to the reality that God does not change (77:10; cf., James 1:17). Rather, it was his despair that had altered his perspective of God.

With this new understanding Asaph consoles his soul, “I will meditate on all Your work and muse on Your deeds” (77:12). He decides to shift his focus from his sorrow to God’s past dealings with him and the nation of Israel. He hoped in the unchanging nature of God. If He showed love in the past, He will show it in the future. If He delivered before, He will deliver again. If He gave good gifts in the past, He will give good gifts once again.

When the storms of life crash on us, we can cling to God’s works in the past. We must refuse to focus on our circumstances. People, places, and times may change, but God’s goodness remains the same. Tears may fall but God still loves. Hearts may break but God still mends. Panic may overwhelm but God still calms storms. Sinners transgress but God still transforms hearts of stone. A terminal diagnosis may come but God still raises the dead.

So when tragedy rattles our world, let’s remember. Let’s lift our eyes to the Rock of all rocks, the One who is sturdy, strong, unchanging. In so doing our souls find comfort, relief, hope. As Asaph says, “Your way, O God, is holy; what god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples” (77:13, 14).

The Personhood of God

How often do we think of God having fun? Or being detail-oriented? Or creative? Having likes and dislikes? Being a hard-worker? As I read the creation account I can't help but come in contact with the personhood of God (or perhaps I see more clearly the image I bear.). As I read Genesis 1-2, I relate more to God, gaining a better understanding of who He is. It seems He has emotional experiences much like you and I do.

What joy must have filled His heart as He created the stars, seas, mountains. What fun He must have had creating the land animals, sea animals and birds. What gentleness must have filled His hands as He formed Adam from the dust.

Such diversity and uniqueness exists in creation. Look around. A vast array of grass, flowers, trees exist. Not to mention insects, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles. And the billions of people alive today, each one unique. And He thought it all up. God engaged with His creation, enjoying the good work He performed. With great intention and attention He moved His hands, spoke words of life, breathed in, breathed out.

In the Genesis account, God comes down to earth; more, He brought forth the earth. He made all the beasts after their own kind, all the birds after their own kind, all the fish after their own kind. But we were special. He made us after Him. It seems God too longed to give birth to those after His own likeness.

What fond affection then He must have as He looks upon us. What love fills His heart to send Christ to save us, who though made in His likeness, have destroyed His image. What hope beats in His breast as He thinks of the completed restoration to come.

One day He again will look at His creation and call it good. With God, we wait for the day we will fully know Him, again image Him in glory, enjoy Him with sight, sound and touch. In the meantime we have His Spirit, community, and stories like the Creation account to begin our everlasting relationship with Him.