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Face To Face

from He Crowns The Humble by Ian Peacock

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There are times when it seems easy to talk confidently about God: what he’s like, how he acts, what he will do in the future, and then something happens we didn’t expect; a family member dies too young, a child gets cancer, the person you prayed for with real faith doesn’t get healed. It’s times like these when we, like Job, are baffled and can legitimately question God’s intervention in our world.

This is how I felt following the death of two friends from our church who died way too young. I felt angry and disappointed with God: one was completely unexpected and the other came after many months of praying for healing. I found myself turning the story of Job who lost almost everything and everyone he loved and upon questioning God, was only met with more questions! ‘Would you really challenge my justice? Would you declare me guilty to justify yourself?’ (40:8) ‘Who confronted me, that I should repay him? Everything under heaven belongs to me.’ (41:11).

Chapters 38-41 detail a fascinating monologue by God in which he questions Job, revealing his lack of understanding when compared with the creator and sustainer of the universe and the reality that God is no human being’s debtor.
Such a passage brings little comfort but a sober reminder that God is not as predictable as we would like him to be.

Perhaps the best answer to the problem of pain and injustice is that when we grieve, God grieves too, maybe more. In fact, God himself entered the mess of our world in the person of Jesus, took on himself our pain, that one day we would be able to stand before him face to face.

lyrics

You baffle me, with your mystery, how could I comprehend?
You said ‘let there be’ from eternity, no beginning, and no end

For from you and through you and to you are all things
Yes, from you and through you and to you are all things
To you be the glory forever amen

You may not be healed but you know you will be held
until he is revealed and then you will behold the glorious face of God!

Where were you when I laid the earth?
Do you see mountain goats give birth?
Did you endow the horse with might?
Can you command an eagle’s flight?
I am the potter, you are clay,
Could you divide the night from day?
Do you hold keys to grave and death or breathe into a man his breath?

You’re made of dust and from the dirt, I feel your pain and grieve your hurt,
I took it all upon myself, I left my throne, gave up my wealth,
when as my son among the filth, was crucified and paid your guilt,
and every vile human deed was gathered up and laid on me

So, who has given unto me that in his debt I’d ever be?
And so your questions I will heed but as for answers there’s no need
So trust you must until the day when we’ll be talking face to face

credits

from He Crowns The Humble, released January 12, 2022

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Ian Peacock Manchester, UK

Ian has played in bands for over 20 years, most notably headlining the UK Play stage at Leeds Carling Festival in 2000 with a former band, ‘Coasta’. He has written, produced and self released five albums: 'Life and After' (2009), 'The End of Faith' (2012) and 'This Time Tomorrow' (2014), 'Still Human' (2015), 'Ordinary People' (2016) in addition to several E.P's. ... more

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