I learned that if the battle is great, the blessing will be greater!

Augustine once said that God puts salt on our lips that we may thirst for him. Sometimes it's the salt of our tears.

We can well imagine Jews feeling a bit out of their element—maybe intimidated and shamed by their own story, which began in slavery, ended in exile, and with absolutely zero contributions to philosophy or science. "Some 'chosen people'! What kind of God did you say you follow? Apparently one who lets bad things happen to you.

If this core mystery of the Christian faith (which I believe can never be truly articulated) is true, and that the Creator not only took part in the human drama, but suffered in that drama, perhaps we have an understanding and compassionate God, not one out to get us?

“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me.

I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? After all, the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me.”

This continued day after day until two full years had passed. Finally, his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died in severe pain. And his people did not make a fire in his honor as they had done for his fathers.

So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed me.

Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle?

For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.

I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.

Why do you persecute me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?