When Pain Is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms

by J. Ligon Duncan III, Mark Dever (Foreword)

"In the midst of our suffering we need a wake-up call to the truth that God’s steadfast love never ceases.”—Dave Furman, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Church of Dubai; author, Being There and Kiss the Wave

Are you feeling despondent, depressed, or discouraged? When we encounter severe trials and suffering, we are often tempted to think that our situation is somehow out of God’s hands. In these dark times, God seems silent, and we feel isolated, confused, and alone. Everyone experiences suffering; even the biblical writers expressed anguish at times. This emotion is clearly captured in the Psalms. Through these brief meditations on Psalms 88 and 89, Ligon Duncan shows us how to respond to our own suffering with the assurance of our heavenly Father’s mercy, which sustains us even in the darkest circumstances.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Counselling, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2020

About the author

Ligon Duncan is the Senior Minister of the historic First Presbyterian Church (1837), Jackson, Mississippi, President of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Chairman of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Convener of the Twin Lakes Fellowship, and Adjunct Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary. He served as the 32nd Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America (2004-2005), the youngest minister ever to fill that post.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gospel comfort for sorrowful souls.

[Briana Hallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spending time with Psalm 88 has changed me forever. Thank God for the Bible and His word.

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. And short! My wife and I took our boys to a conservation area for an adventure day last week and I was able to read the first sermon to her on the way there and the second one on the way back home.

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief meditations on Psalms 88 & 89, songs full of lament. Both are good tonic for the soul in the midst of suffering, as well as useful to read before you’re in the midst of it. I thought the chapter on Psalm 89 was much stronger, though both good.

Recommend to the weary and worn.

[Kevin Halloran]

Ligon Duncan's sermons on Psalm 88 and 89 at Capitol Hill Baptist Church were turned into this short book. You can listen to the sermons here: Psalm 88 and Psalm 89.

Here's my favorite quote:
“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's character.”

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, succinct and a good reminder that what may seem like silence on the part of God in the midst of pain & suffering does not demonstrate passivity or disconnection on His part. On the contrary, where we might feel like we are abandoned or forgotten, God’s sovereignty renders that premise an impossibility.

[Linda Filcek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short beautiful book I need to come back to when I’m again feeling depressed or sad or going through something hard… A short read of devotional thoughts and teaching on Psalm 88 and 89.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lukas Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great highlight on two less-admired psalms of lament and suffering. Continued to bring home the point of God allowing us to suffer in order to bring Him glory. The presence of suffering does not equate to the absence of the Lord.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Quotes:

Friend, your life may be filled with far more suffering than my own, but Scripture teaches that your troubles don’t belong to you alone. God placed psalms of lament, like this one, in Scripture so that we could all learn how to cry to the Lord in our sadness and grief together. Psalms like this one teach us to share in one another’s suffering and to bear one another’s burdens.

Many times in the Christian life, God answers our cries “Why, O Lord?” not by explaining his providence but by giving us a deeper understanding of his person. In other words, when we cry, “Lord, why are you doing this?” he often answers by saying, “Let me show you who I am.” And if you see him, he will be enough.

Take comfort from the fact that the sufferings of this life are the worst you will ever endure. If you know Christ and have come to him in faith and repentance, then your suffering has an end. The trials of this life are the worst things you will ever endure. But friend, if you don’t know Christ, then you are alone in your suffering. You are in a far, far worse place than this psalmist. The hopelessness experienced by this psalmist was only apparent and temporary. But those who die without repenting of their sin will know true hopelessness, that which is real and eternal. Hell has no light at the end of the tunnel. If you do not know Christ, then let your sufferings show you your need for a Savior. If you are already a Christian, then let your own suffering remind you that you are an undeserving, hell-bound sinner saved by God’s mercy. Let that thought drive you to share the gospel with those around you so that they, too, might be saved from never-ending hopelessness.
God’s people know profound pain, but no circumstance can make God one bit less worthy of our praise. God is worthy of our worship simply because of who he is. Our worship is ultimately rooted in his character, not our circumstances.

[Katie Krombein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little devotional about Ps 88 and 89. This quote was in the intro and I keep rereading it:

Andrew Murray (1895)

“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.”

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good, but just too short. So I guess in my gut-level calculus two very good (4-star) sermons make for a good (3-star) book?

Here’s a lovely review which I wholeheartedly agree with, and which also makes me feel particularly lousy for giving this only 3 stars:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short, very true. Ligon Duncan reminds people to not forget why they were created (to glorify God) even in suffering. He calls for us to depend on God's character. He reminds us to take eternal perspective, remembering that as believers what we suffer on earth will be the worst we are called to endure. He paints the picture that even in the darkest circumstances (as portrayed in Psalm 88) Christ's light shines hope.

"Praising God in the midst of pain is one of the most profound testimonies that a believer or a congregation can ever give to the Lord."

"Whatever suffering we may encounter, [the] gospel can carry us through it."

[Kittynelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will definitely have to revisit this book in time of trial, because they will come. I'm sure it will have an even greater impact then. This book was full of wisdom and gone and great quotes, but here's two that I loved:

"We are poor interpreters of God's providence."
Boy ain't that the truth.

And:
"The cross always comes before the crown." ❤️

[Lexi V · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was encouraged by page 27 where it talks about how those whom God loves he chastens. duncan quotes carl trueman talking about how western culture struggles to tolerate negative emotions (page 18), which made me reassess how i approach my own negative emotions.

[April-Sterling Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non-threatening book on suffering, even when you are indeed suffering.

[Shannon McGarvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, encouraging read.

[Alan Rennê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duas excelentes exposição bíblicas (Salmos 88 e 89). O coração foi animado e consolado com a leitura dessa pequena obra.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be a seasonal re-read, for sure. So much hope packed into a few short pages.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years, Ligon Duncan has been delivering faithful messages that glorify the Lord. Such is the case in his latest book, When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent. Crossway Books has skillfully condensed two recent sermons by Dr. Duncan that were delivered at Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C.

The texts for the two sermons are taken from Psalm 88 and Psalm 89. The theme for each is suffering. But more than suffering, Duncan draws our attention to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our gaze is diverted from suffering to the Savior.

These two sermons are classic examples of God-centered, Christo-centric preaching that elevate the Bible and the God of the Bible. I urge readers to sit down for an hour and absorb the timeless wisdom found in these gems. You will be refreshed and encouraged and your gaze will be riveted upon your Savior.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Highly recommend.

[Chelsea Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet. I’m thankful I now have this book on my shelf to turn to in times of despair.

A favorite paragraph on page 45 shares how the doctrine of election gives hope and joy. It explains why in John 15:16 Jesus says “You did not chose me, but I chose you,” right before they all abandon him. Jesus wanted this doctrine to comfort them. As Ligon puts it so well, “Their love may prove fickle, inconstant, and weak. But his never changes.” What great hope!

[Zach True · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings Christians to such a humble position. We can and do complain about such simple matters or even matters that make sense to complain about. In those circumstances we may ask, “God why?” One of the most profound statements from re-reading this short book was that “our worship is grounded in the character of God, not our circumstances.” That speaks to God’s sovereignty and should draw us to further obedience in His plan for our life.

[LeAna Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that was short but well written. It was encouraging to see how Psalm 88 and Psalm 89 are used by God to help in our suffering. I love the way Ligon Duncan broke each verse down to make it easier to understand. He brings things to the table about these two chapters in Psalms that you may not have thought of before. Worth the read!

[Hopson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short volume is an encouraging exposition on Psalms 88-89, two psalms of lament. Ligon Duncan helps us to see how we can find hope in the midst of personal, and corporate pain. Short, clear, and comforting, this book is a helpful and hope-filled resource to strengthen the suffering soul.

[Hiram · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Short, but helpful!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thankful to God for providing a song of lament we can sing together when life is dark. Ligon Duncan shows how one of the darkest pages of Scripture can offer instruction on how to express our suffering with a raw yet God-honoring perspective.

[Riley Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short little book packed full of practical truth and wisdom. Love.

[Lance Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book you could read it one sitting. It's an exposition of Psalm 88 and 89. Only reason not 5 stars is because I wanted it to be longer!

[Kyle McQuinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have definitely read Psalms 88-89 in the past. However, I have often wondered why it is so different than the other Psalms. It doesn’t seem to fit in a specific type of Psalm, like penitential or praise psalm. After reading Ligon’s book though, he brings forth a very interesting reason for the uniqueness of this Psalm. Great read especially in the midst of times when there is pain, sickness or betrayal all around. God may seem silent, but He is ever at work when and in ways that we least expect it.