At the time of his passing, Paul T. McCain was in the middle of a series of programs on The Lutheran Confessions on the radio program Issues, Etc.
Here is a link to the final episode that was recorded of The Lutheran Confessions Series, titled God, Original Sin, and the Son of God in the Augsburg Confession. If the link does not work, here is the full mp3 file (60MB).
As we, his family, seek peace after his passing, one part of Paul’s commentary stands out as a clear message to us, and anyone enduring hardships in our earthly life. Here is the excerpt:
It’s hard to accept and understand that the Lord would allow, at this time, this pandemic, to upend everything in our lives.
Let’s be honest – we have had it so good, for so long. Even now – what we are going through now, the present sufferings that we go through – can’t compare to what we will receive in heaven, what we have received right now by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and what we are still receiving through the means of grace.
God is in control. We tend to think: yeah, you know, when Jesus ascended into heaven, God’s in some far off other galaxy, and hasn’t too much time for us anymore. This is completely untrue!
God has joined himself to us in Jesus Christ. When we have a God separated from Christ, we have no God. The only God we know is the one who is incarnate in the man Jesus of Nazareth, who is true God and true man.
So yes! He is still in control. And maybe at times like this, [we should look to] those bible verses that we read often without thinking about: All things work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28] All things, not just the good things. All things.
Indeed, God instructs us that all things work together for good, within his plan. We have received so much already on this earth, through the gifts God has given to us. We’ve had it good! And we still have so much to receive in the promise of the resurrection.
Those who place their trust in Christ can have confidence in this promise. Even during times of sorrow and hardship, we are comforted by the knowledge that every joy, victory, and trial in our life on this earth is part of His plan, according to His purpose for us.