Matters of the Law
August 8, 2021
It’s been a frustrating morning. I spent hours pouring over government websites with a specific issue in mind regarding students getting visas, trying to find a solution that will work. I would find a solution, have some hope, dig deeper, and find out the solution doesn’t apply. It’s ridiculous, because it’s a perfectly reasonable situation, and there’s no way the government would have an issue with what’s happening, but nevertheless—with all the bureaucratic red tape, nary a solution is to be found.
I find myself staring at these mind-numbing laws and statutes and longing for the relative joy of Leviticus or Numbers! Compared to the US government bureaucracy, the Law of Moses is simple and downright life-giving.
Anyway. The problem is that the situation is not one the government has in mind. They don’t know they need to write this situation into the books. If I could only talk to someone and explain the situation, it could surely be fixed with a minimum of disruption to the current system.
It’s made me really appreciate the way God works. First of all, accessibility. Where do you go to find the laws of America? What website? What building? How many links will you have to follow to find what you want? I had 10 tabs open on my browser, just to find one form. But the Law of Moses? It is not too hard, nor too far away. It is not in heaven or beyond the sea. “No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.” (Deut. 30.11-14).
And how do you know what questions to ask, or what issues to raise once you do find the law? Who do you call? But with God? “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” (Rom. 8.26).
So now you’ve found the law, you’ve asked the questions, but what’s next? Whatever situation you face is brand new, and the laws simply don’t have a place for it. How do you explain to that person what the situation is, and how do they go about fixing it? But with God? “For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all,” (1Tim. 2.5-6). Or, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4.15-16).
Our lives and situations are all unique. Our struggles are all unique. But when we bring them to God, He understands them. The Holy Spirit translates, the High Priest Jesus empathizes, and the Father listens.
—John Coffey
