Jeremiah 29: 11-12 NKJV
There are times in our lives when it feels as if something we hold dear has been taken away from us. Whether through our own doing or not, at times in our lives there is loss. It is usually at times llike this where we often find ourselves crying out, "Why, God?" This is a perfectly normal reaction to such a situation as this. However, as we are asking our Lord why, can we instead ask of Him, "What are you doing, God?" For God is not so far removed from His children that He cannot nor will not answer us in our times of need. Of course, we must understand the time frame of our Lord, for God one day may be as a thousand years {2 Peter 3:8}. So, as we seek an answer from our Lord, things may not happen as quickly as we would like. Microwave speed is not Gods speed. In fact, that answer which we are seeking may not come to us for some time. To many people, this is unacceptable. Faced with this delay, many imediately think the worst, that God is somehow punishing them for something they've done. It is this thinking which may invalidate what Christ Jesus did for us on the cross so long ago. For when Jesus became sin in our place {2 Corinthians 5:21}, he abolished our every sin past, present and future. The slate was wiped clean! So, the thinking that God is upset and somehow punishing us for our sins is not valid. For when we approach the throne of God seeking forgiveness for our sins, our Lords response may very well be, "What sin, my child?"
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts have eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wonderously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.
Joel 2: 25-26 NKJV
Recently, a dear friend of mine was reunited in marraige once again with the mother of his children. This indeed was a relationship which many of us around him could see the handiwork of our Lord upon his life. It was enough for my friend to proclaim, "What just happened?" This is indeed how our Lord works in our lives. One day we may be mourning the loss of a family or relationship, never knowing that God has not only heard our prayers, but is indeed working on our behalf. We are not always privy to the activities our Lord is accomplishing on our behalf, but we can always be assured that it is for our benefit and not for evil. For as our Lord tells the prophet in Jeremiah 29:11, the very thoughts of our Lord for us are always for our benefit and prosperity. We may be going through that valley wondering just why our Lord is ignoring us, never stopping to consider that the very nature of our Lord is love and not evil. Knowing this, we can rest assured that whatever it is that God is working to accomplish in our lives, is only for our benefit. There are many wonderful stories of our Lords loving restoration in the lives of His children, and this summer I have been blessed to be a witness of His restoration in the life of my friend.
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment