Mad World
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see. Is any suffering like my suffering that was inflicted on me, that the LORD brought on me in the day of his fierce anger?
Lamentations 1:12
It was a surprise to many that Gary Jules and Michael Andrews took the number 1 spot in the UK Christmas singles chart. The favourites were The Darkness with a catchy tune and a video full of snow, sleigh bells, presents, and carol singers. It was perfect Christmas no. 1 material, full of seasonal cheer whatever that is!
The buying public preferred Mad World though. Why? Im sure there were those who enjoyed the cult classic Donnie Darko which the song featured in, who were reminded of the original by Tears for Fears and those who simply enjoyed the tune. But Im sure there is another category - those who were really struck by the message of the song - its a mad world out there.
The lyrics are decidedly morbid- "the dreams in which Im dying are the best Ive ever had." and "hide my head I want to drown my sorrows, no tomorrow and all the tears are filling up their glasses."
The song is slowed right down and is given delicate piano and cello backing to Michael Andrews plaintive voice, which makes it all the more depressing. Is a song described by one critic as sparse bitterness really appropriate at Christmastime? (which is supposed to be about peace and joy and goodwill - isnt it?) But, all the fairy lights, presents and plastic Santas on earth cant hide the fact that the world is a pretty messed up. At Christmas the fact is often all the more painfully true for those recently bereaved or from split families; even having to pretend to like family members you dont! The question is natural and important: Where is God in this mad world?
I cant claim to have the answer to the worlds problems or even to look at the question in detail but God has plenty to say in his world. Firstly, this world is so full of death and suffering as a consequence of mankind as a whole turning its back on God:
We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. Isaiah 53:6a
Sin entered the world through one man, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12
This whole issue was running through the prophet Habakkuks mind nearly 3000 years ago and he questioned God:
How long O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out Violence! But you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Habakkuk1:2-3a.
And God answers:
Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. Habakkuk1:5
God was going to bring down judgement on his own people, the Israelites, by the arrogant Babylonians, the world superpower. God does bring justice, to some extent, even in our days. It wasnt the answer Habakkuk was expecting and hes still not happy:
O LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, we will not die. O LORD, you appointed them to execute judgement; O Rock you have ordained them to punish. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why do you then tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? Habakkuk1:12-13.
The Babylonians were notoriously cruel in warfare. Where is the justice in letting wicked people swallow up the relatively righteous Israelites? hes suggesting.
God replies again:
Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the peoples labour is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea Habakkuk 2:13-14
God is pointing to a time when he will get rid of this world full of death and sin, and Habakkuk recognises that:
You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though to devour the wretched who were in hiding. You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into all my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
Why doesnt God bring all this about now? Why doesnt God bring the world to justice? Wait a minute, weve turned our backs on God, we are the cause of the mess were in, as things stand, God needs to destroy us too to make a pure world free of death and suffering. God isnt just a God of justice though and praise him for it! Though we have gone against God he wants to reconcile us to him. And yet he still needs to punish our sins. His solution is the most major truth ever
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John3:16
In his mercy God still delays his judgement so all have an opportunity to be saved:
Remember that verse in Isaiah? We all, like sheep, have gone astray, but the LORD has laid on him [looking forward to the saviour, Jesus, 700 years before!] the iniquity [sin] of us all. Isaiah 53:6
Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out. Acts3:19
Now is the day of salvation 2Corinthinans 6:2
I urge you to make that important step, to get right with God before its too late because; everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Joel 2:32
The great day of the LORD is near- near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORDs wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth. Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation, before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORDs wrath.
And Jesus says he who seeks finds: Matthew 7:8. Isnt that great news for everyone seeking after God!?
And to those who find God can appreciate his new, perfect heaven and earth:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Questions? euph_bob@yahoo.co.uk
