Suffering & the Sovereignty of God - Crossway books
This book should be read by every Christian because it addresses one of the fundamental issues of our day, suffering.
This is an issue that is too often downplayed or sidelined by young and old alike.
Like the authors in this book I do not approach this subject from a distance, but up close and very, very personal. I have been chronically ill for the last 5 years and during the treatment had to deal with chronic anaemia, infected psoriasis, near migraine level headaches, an almost non existent white cell count, blurred vision and much more besides. I am now technically ‘cured’, but my body is still recovering and reducing all the painkillers is progressing albeit slowly.
This book starts with the word of God, feeds off the word of God and honours the word of God throughout.
If you are seeking easy answers then don’t read this book, but if you are seeking answers that strengthen your spirit and leave you with the highest view of the sovereignty of God, then read on. (In the book I mean, not this blog)
John Piper, as always, gives us no wriggle room (praise God) and lays it all out in his indomitable way.
He shows that God is in control of everything and that we can rely on that fact because He is there for us.
Feel under attack from the armies of Satan or the sinful desires of your own flesh? Be encouraged because God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to endure.
In physical or emotional pain? Be encouraged because Jesus knows and understands your suffering.
As John Piper puts it in chap 1 –
“God is supreme in all things. He has all authority, all power, all wisdom—and he is all good
“to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lam. 3:25).
And his name, as Creator and Redeemer and Ruler of all, is Jesus Christ.
In the last few years, 9/11, tsunamis, Katrina, and ten thousand personal losses have helped us discover how little the American church is rooted in this truth.”
I would add that this applies in general to the church in the West. There are beacons in the dark from churches like Bethlehem Baptist and the Sovereign Grace Ministries group of churches amongst others, but they are all too few.
Just as well that God has it all under control.
If you are suffering, struggling for answers then READ THIS BOOK.
Please believe me when I tell you that it is possible to praise God joyfully in the midst of pain and suffering when you find your strength in God.
All the authors in this book understand the reality of this all too well.
By the grace of God I know it to be a reality as well. This is achievable by anyone, you do not have to be some sort of ‘super saint’, far from it.
Please read this and be encouraged and challenged.
This is an issue that is too often downplayed or sidelined by young and old alike.
Like the authors in this book I do not approach this subject from a distance, but up close and very, very personal. I have been chronically ill for the last 5 years and during the treatment had to deal with chronic anaemia, infected psoriasis, near migraine level headaches, an almost non existent white cell count, blurred vision and much more besides. I am now technically ‘cured’, but my body is still recovering and reducing all the painkillers is progressing albeit slowly.
This book starts with the word of God, feeds off the word of God and honours the word of God throughout.
If you are seeking easy answers then don’t read this book, but if you are seeking answers that strengthen your spirit and leave you with the highest view of the sovereignty of God, then read on. (In the book I mean, not this blog)
John Piper, as always, gives us no wriggle room (praise God) and lays it all out in his indomitable way.
He shows that God is in control of everything and that we can rely on that fact because He is there for us.
Feel under attack from the armies of Satan or the sinful desires of your own flesh? Be encouraged because God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to endure.
In physical or emotional pain? Be encouraged because Jesus knows and understands your suffering.
As John Piper puts it in chap 1 –
“God is supreme in all things. He has all authority, all power, all wisdom—and he is all good
“to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him” (Lam. 3:25).
And his name, as Creator and Redeemer and Ruler of all, is Jesus Christ.
In the last few years, 9/11, tsunamis, Katrina, and ten thousand personal losses have helped us discover how little the American church is rooted in this truth.”
I would add that this applies in general to the church in the West. There are beacons in the dark from churches like Bethlehem Baptist and the Sovereign Grace Ministries group of churches amongst others, but they are all too few.
Just as well that God has it all under control.
If you are suffering, struggling for answers then READ THIS BOOK.
Please believe me when I tell you that it is possible to praise God joyfully in the midst of pain and suffering when you find your strength in God.
All the authors in this book understand the reality of this all too well.
By the grace of God I know it to be a reality as well. This is achievable by anyone, you do not have to be some sort of ‘super saint’, far from it.
Please read this and be encouraged and challenged.
posted by Glennsp at 17:35
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home