Since writing this article, Wright has clarified that he did not create the title:
“(The headline, by the way, was written by the TIME sub-editor and, as many people have pointed out to me, it isn’t really a fair representation of what I was saying – though it gets part of it.)”
In the original article, Wright continues by tying the lamenting of the Psalms to the New Testament idea of the Holy Spirit:
“…As the Spirit laments within us, so we become, even in our self-isolation, small shrines where the presence and healing love of God can dwell. And out of that there can emerge new possibilities, new acts of kindness, new scientific understanding, new hope. New wisdom for our leaders? Now there’s a thought.”
NOTE: In this sense, Wright is correctly seeing the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and as Christians we should read the Bible in light of the New Testament. This also depends one’s view of biblical theology in general.
We agree with Wright on this point: Christian lamenting can produce healing because of indwelling of the Holy Spirit bringing us the peace Jesus promised in John 14:
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
But what about the “why?” of suffering? Yes, we may not be able to explain the exact why of coronavirus, and all the sorts of evil that exists in the world, but generally we do know that sin is ultimately the reason and it is for the glory of God. Job 42:2-3 and John 9:2-3 give us some insight:
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
Job of the Old Testament, after all of his sufferings, admits God’s sovereign plan and his own ignorance.
“And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
John 9:2-3 depicts a scenario of direct sinning as a causation of suffering, to which Jesus says it is for God’s glory:
Perhaps the distinction of the general and the specific cause of suffering is helpful: We know that suffering, death, and pain all exists because of the fall in Genesis 3. We do not necessarily know the specific cause of each individual kinds of suffering (although there are biblical examples), except to rejoice in God in the trials we are going through and to see him gloried in our sufferings. 1 Peter 4:12 says:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
But, we can trust God and His perfect sovereign plan even if we do not understand the exact “why” of the suffering is occurring. We can even claim ignorance like Job. This points us towards faith in Christ. He is our hope.
References
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A26-27&version=ESV