Scared Sorrow - Michael Card

Before there were drops of rain, human tears fell in the garden, and that was when lament began.

In Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed the unbroken Presence of God. It was immediate and intimate. His hesed, an untraslatable Hebrew word often rendered "loving-kindness," was given, reliable as the fresh, newly created air they both breathed.

Then, in a moment when the Presence seemed somehow impossibly absent, in some forgotten corner of the garden, Satan, the Accuser and ultimate cause of all lament, called into question the hesed of God.


The Presence that had always been (and sadly would have always been) palpable and immediate was altered, seemingly broken, and lament became the language of Adam and Even, of you and me, and indeed of all creation.

Hesed disbelieved.
Presence seemingly broken.
It was a sovereign sorrow that fell upon the world, a wordless sorrow beyond our knowing.

The two fundamental questions of complaint:
God, where are You? (Presence)
God, if You love me, then why? (hesed)


I read the first chapter of Michael Card's book a few weeks after the accident. My heart has asked and continues to asks these two questions - where are You God and do You love me?

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

This is a promise. I choose to believe and rest in this promise.


"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears..." 2 Kings 20:5

"I am with you and will save you," declares the Lord. "I will restore you...," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 30:11,17

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:1,4


"Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. ... He will revive us; ... He will restore us, that we may live in His presence. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
Hosea 6:1-3


When the Tears Fall - Tim Hughes

I've had questions without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true

When hope is lost, I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds, I call You Healer
When silence falls,
You'll be the song within my heart

In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me, You sustain me
My defender forever more

When hope is lost, I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds, I call You Healer
When silence falls,
You'll be the song within my heart

When the laughter fails to comfort
When my heart aches, Lord You'll be there
When confusion is all around me
And the darkness is my closest friend
Still I'll praise You
Jesus praise You