When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent

Very timely. Hopeful.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

The Psalms are Gods words of encouragement. Right now we are dealing with Corona and the devastating effect it is having on my area. I am worried about my family and my friends. Reading this has given me the perspective that trying times are not new and God is still in charge. Have faith and remember the word of God. This book couldnt have come at a better time.

I enjoyed a lot of the insights on these respective Psalms. Feels weird to essentially rate the sermon, but I guess that's what I have to do.

"When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms" is a breezy, rhythmic read based upon Psalms 88 and 89 that explores how these particular psalms empower and encourage Christians to endure suffering faithfully and to trust God during these hard times. Utilizing brief meditations, Duncan points to hope in the midst of the pain and when such pain leads to feeling abandoned by God.

Duncan asserts through his examination that it is possible to experience both that sense of abandonment and comfort through turning to Christ and maintaining one's faith.

Ligon Duncan is chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary and my interest in this collection came from seeing a quote of testimony from Mark Vroegop of Indianapolis's College Park Church, a congregation not far from my Indy home. In this book of less than 100 pages, Duncan eloquently explores what he seems to regard as basic yet simple truths and how these truths can be applied within a Christian's life - Christians are most certainly not exempt from suffering, what it looks like to live for God in the midst of suffering, how to suffer with hope, specific doctrines that sustain believers in suffering, and how the individual and corporate suffering that comes alive in Psalms 88 and 89 leads, ultimately, to the suffering of Christ.

As someone who has difficulty with the idea of a "plucking" God, or perhaps better put the idea of a God who puts people into or pulls people out of suffering, I struggled somewhat with certain aspects of Duncan's theological position yet I appreciated his thoughtful and insightful examination, pastoral care in wording and expression, scriptural exegesis, and ability to apply his teachings to everyday life.

"When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms" is a publication of Crossway , a not-for-profit publishing house founded in 1938 that publishes gospel-centered, Bible-centered content and is the global publisher of the English Standard Version of the Bible. Duncan's brief yet informative publication is a fine addition to their literary catalogue.

While we may not understand what God is doing, we can always trust who he is. We must never interpret God's character by our circumstances. We must instead interpret our circumstances by God character.

In Psalm 88 and 89 the psalmist describes his pain individually and corporately. Today writing this review, the world is suffering the pain of the Corona-virus. Whether, in sickness, death, livelihood, and the fear of the unknown, we can trust God's character in this suffering. In these Psalms we can determine the doctrine that will sustain us and what hope that brings. Our hope is not what we can do but what God is doing and done.

It is in suffering that we draw closer to God in praise and dependence. It is in God's promises found in these Psalms that we can make sense of this world. We realize that we are not home yet. Glory!

A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

First sentence: In 1895 Andrew Murray was staying as a guest in a home while traveling for preaching. One morning, he lay in bed because his back, injured a few years prior, was causing him severe pain. When his hostess brought him breakfast, she told him that a troubled woman had come to the house asking for his counsel. Murray handed her a piece of paper and said, “Just give her this advice I’m writing down for myself; it may be that she’ll find it helpful.” This is what was written: In time of trouble say, “First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest.” Next, “He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.” Then say, “He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.” And last, say, “In His good time He can bring me out again. How, and when, He knows.” Therefore say, “I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.”

When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent is a LOVELY, LOVELY gem of a book. Just the right length for those who actually actually feel that pain is REAL and God is SILENT. It is a collection of two expository sermons on Psalms 88 and 89. Psalm 88 is about individual suffering. Psalm 89 is about corporate suffering.

The book guides you through each verse of each of the two psalms. It's sprinkled with a few quotes from theologians as well. But at the front and center of this one is Scripture itself. What can we learn about God, about ourselves, about our experiences from reading Scripture. The book is packed with insight.

I loved reading this one. I read it in one sitting.

Very short read - only about 40 pages. The author delivers the message quickly but it hits all the buttons.

#When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent# by Ligon Duncan is a Christian Living book. Ligon Duncan is the Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS. He is also the Chancellor and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; President of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and past Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America. When we face difficult trials it is easy to wonder where God is. and question our faith. The author talks about how hard trials can be in life. The Psalms can bring comfort and renewed strength in our trials. Ligon encourages us to look to the Psalms can reassure us that God is with us and so us that He is with us and cares for us. This book is short but can really help during our difficult times. The author uses Psalms 88, 89 to show us God's character and help during difficult times. Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions are my own and not given to me by anyone else. I look forward to sharing my review on Amazon, facebook, netgalley, my blog, bookbub, Goodreads.

Suffering is something that we as human beings have to experience at some point in our lives. It is inescapable, it is proper to exist.
Death, disease, violence, marginalization and much more can lead to experiencing suffering in profound ways.

In this short book, Pastor Ligon Duncan makes a very practical and biblical presentation on suffering and how we can have hope in the Lord. The author makes a very good exposition on Psalms 88 and 89, leading his readers to be comforted by the Word of the Lord. The reader, guided by the Word and the Spirit, will reach several conclusions, among which I want to mention that, just as Christ suffered we will also suffer.
Pastor Duncan writes: "Jesus's words and life attest to these very sufferings on the cross. Christian, when you find yourself in trouble like that described in Psalm 88, you are being granted by the Father just a tiny taste of what Christ endured for you to the full. "

In short, a book that brings comfort and strength to those who suffer.

I couldn't even imagine trying to give deep insights on one of the toughest chapters in all the Bible, Psalm 88. But I am very thankful that Ligon shared his heart and thoughts with us and I respect him for trying to bring more life to these two chapters. I love when you can read a book about a deep thought and feel like you are sitting at a table with a friend and just having an easy conversation. Of course, I was the one listening and gleaning some great insight, but for him to write like he did was refreshing to take in. I recommend this book purely because of it addressing a tough issue. Then you have a person like Ligon, a very humbled man, sharing his thoughts makes it a good read.