A Reflection on Evil, Privation, and the Cry of the Cross

Jesus’ words from the cross cut through every tidy explanation of suffering. They are not the complaint of a man who made poor choices. They are the anguished cry of the sinless Son of God, nailed to wood by the collective evil of humanity, abandoned in a way none of us will ever fully grasp.

When Privation Meets Pain: Rethinking Evil Through the Voice from the Whirlwind

When Job finally hears from God, it is not the answer he expected. After chapters of lament, accusation, and theological debate, God speaks—not with a tidy explanation, but with a whirlwind. In Job 38, the Lord answers Job out of the storm, asking, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” This divine response is not evasive; it is expansive.

Remedy lies not in technique but surrender, praying within divine will, rejoicing amid unraveling, trusting unseen hands. From lip-service to lived faith, panic to peace, idolatry to adoration. Release clutched details; the galaxy-Creator governs faithfully.

Control ranks among the most seductive illusions of modern existence. We plan with precision, forecast results, and safeguard priorities. Systems emerge—apps, calendars, budgets, fitness trackers—objectives crystallize, and outcomes fall under scrutiny.

A Panic Attack Paraphrase of Psalm 55.

If Amos 9 were an online video it would be preceded by a warning that said the content contains images some may find difficult, viewer discretion is advised.  But what Amos 9 displays is there is no height, depth or distance the Lion of Zion will not go, no scenario He will not orchestrate, and no violence He will not take to demonstrate His love and eliminate the barrier between Himself and His people.  And not one will be lost.

John is a professional in the work a day world.  He spends much of his time speaking with clients and colleagues about the business concerns of the day, listening and solving problems.  John has a family he loves and church friends in whom he invests and enjoys.  From outward appearance, Johns everyday life looks and feels quite normal. 

However, under the surface John feels an emptiness that haunts him…

The second generation of wilderness Hebrews have looked on their circumstances and decided it does not meet their expectations. They look at their redemption from Egypt and see a rouse that will lead them to a death by starvation and thirst. How could a good God bring us to this awful place?

So when Habakkuk sees the evil going on inside the city walls, and the evil preparing for attack outside the city walls, he asks a valuable and important million dollar question, "God, where are you?". It is an honest question. It is a pertinent question. And it ranks among the preeminent questions human beings ask the Almighty.

Christ in the garden, trusting and moving forward despite the trial ahead - adds metric tons of value to Christ's humanity. Like us, Christ faces the catastrophe in trust and endures despite the trial. Christ didnt volunteer for the cross. The cross found him. And when presented with it, Jesus trusted and moved forward.

Captain Ahab is a man obsessed with the thing, the White Whale, that changed his life.  The White Whale is his nemesis, an uncontrollable element of life that has left him lame and threatened his reality.  Now Ahab is intent on destroying the thing that has broken him.  Ahab's life was that of a whaler, sea captain and successful merchant.  Now he is uprooted, physically changed, and the dominance he felt over his life’s direction is torn and changed by the will and force of an outside entity with a mind of its own.  The White Whale intends to destroy Ahab and has the power to do so. (Job 41:10)