Why to Read Fiction, Idea #27: Empathy, anyone?

Below I have posted the lyrics to a song we sung last Sunday. It is by Michael W. Smith. I am going to respond to it, but drop down and read them first. 

I am a modern woman who does not dismiss that modernity is very young in terms of the span of history. So I am conscious that everything cannot be explained by scientific means or "our neural wiring." There is a spirit world that can affect us if we allow our minds to open to it. That is why we need a better theology of the Holy Spirit. 

I have felt attacks by evil unseen beings lately. I am not proud to admit that. They tempt me to do fearful things (no examples) and to doubt God at a basic, existential level. I do not think this is unusual. Nor do I believe it does not have a chemical component either, or in my case, what I have inputted into my senses. Today I do not feel this oppression, but last week I did, for some reason. 

It happened when we were singing this song. Some will say it was not a demon; I would tend to agree. But it was something outside me saying, "This is the stupid, most naive, simplistic song ever written and an example of the superficiality of evangelicalism and its so-called worship music."

Specifically: Your plans are still to prosper

You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood. 

I could not help but think of the Texas floods last year that killed 135 people, including dozens at a Christian camp. Or the people in Southern California whose homes had no chance of survival. or earthquakes, tsunamis, Ukraine . . . 

How is God with "us" in the fire and the flood? 

The rest of the chorus: 

You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us. 

Even in my low state, I had no doubts about the last line. How does the forever faithfulness and perfect love fit into this? 

Is this song just sappy pop lyrics and beats to make us feel good on a Sunday morning? Where is the theology? 

You can see, I was struggling, and it was just a song. Well, what we sing to God is never, or should never be, just a song. 

I had to work through this. I still am. No bullet points generated by AI here.

God's definition of faithfulness and love must differ from ours. It is eternal, ours is temporal. It is about the kingdom, not the U.S. government. His love and protection obviously mean something other than our guaranteed protection from weather disasters. What does it mean to prosper? The fire and the food are the opposite of prospering--they destroy wealth, 2,000 years ago and today. 

How does one talk to a mother whose little girl was swept away by torrential rains that happen in Central Texas, such that it's called "Flash Flood Alley." I don't know. This song doesn't really suffice for that. But Smith acknowledges that: 

And You meet us in our mourning

With a love that casts out fear. 

The incarnation of Jesus, His humanity, is the solace when words about sovereinty seems anemic. 

Of course, I am not the first to feel attacked by questions and perplexities about questions of death, grief, loss, comfort, sovereignty, and God's love and faithfulness. I turn to the Heidelberg Catechism, which our well-read Baptist pastor quoted this week:

27.	Q.	What do you understand by the providence of God?
	A.	God's providence is his almighty and ever present power, 1 whereby, as with his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth and all creatures, 2 and so governs them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, food and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, 3 indeed, all things, come to us not by chance 4 but by his fatherly hand. 5
		1.Jer 23:23, 24; Acts 17:24-28. 2.Heb 1:3. 3.Jer 5:24; Acts 14:15-17; Jn 9:3; Prov 22:2. 4.Prov 16:33. 5.Mt 10:29.

28.	Q.	What does it benefit us to know that God has created all things and still upholds them by his providence?
	A.	We can be patient in adversity, 1 thankful in prosperity, 2 and with a view to the future we can have a firm confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature shall separate us from his love; 3 for all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they cannot so much as move. 4
		1.Job 1:21, 22; Ps 39:10; Jas 1:3. 2.Deut 8:10; 1 Thess 5:18. 3.Ps 55:22; Rom 5:3-5; 8:38, 39. 4.Job 1:12; 2:6; Prov 21:1; Acts 17:24-28.

God does not get mad at us for these questions. The line is crossed when we "curse God and die," when we purport to know more than He, to reject His existence (and still hold on to anger against Him!) 

  The full song: 

There is strength within the sorrow

There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You're sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You're teaching us to trust

Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You're with us in the fire and the flood
You're faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us

[Bridge]
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You're working for our good
You're working for our good
And for Your glory
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You're working for our good
You're working for our good
And for Your glory