CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 868

 “Why”

…but God meant it for good… (Genesis 50:20)

Have you ever gone through an extended trial and wondered ‘Why God?’ Perhaps your health is suffering and the doctors are baffled by it. It could be that you have experienced loss – of loved ones, a job, home, or finances. Regardless of the circumstances, you begin to wonder why God is punishing you. You are counseled by well-meaning friends and family to ‘Get right with God and stop sinning’ but you are not sure what that entails or means. Such counsel only frustrates you to the point of despair. Your best counsel is found in the Word of God.

First and foremost we must understand that as a born-again, child of God, His Word tells us that all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28-30) This promise is not for the lost nor is it for the card-carrying religious who are ‘Christian’ in name only having a social club relationship with a denomination and whose hearts are far from God. This promise is for His children who have a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. If there is any truth in the exhortation to get right with God, it is through repentance and receiving forgiveness for our sins through Jesus as our Lord and Savior. (Romans 8:1)

Secondly, we must understand from God’s Word the difference between God’s punishment, discipline, and sovereign purpose. As a child of God we are not punished for our sins – Jesus paid that price once and for all time when He bore our sins on the cross. (1 Peter 2:24) There are however natural consequences for our sins. I may end up in prison for having committed a crime. I may suffer health issues for having lived an ‘at-risk’ lifestyle in the past. These are consequences and not to be confused as punishment from God.

However, God does discipline His children as any good father does. Jonah was disciplined by God. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit reveals to us the need to remove obstacles that hinder our walk with Him. Sometimes we choose to ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit and stubbornly refuse to let go of what has become an idol before Him. God loves us enough to discipline us for our stubbornness.

Job and Joseph were not disciplined but rather suffered trials to fulfill God’s sovereign purpose and plan. Many of us go through a difficult or trying period in our lives and immediately question God. We wonder why God would allow us to have such difficulty. We gripe, whine, complain, and question God’s love for us. We reserve thanksgiving and praise for the times when we get what we want – when things are ‘going our way’.

One thing remains certain for the child of God: God loves them more than can be measured. (Psalm 108:4) May you rejoice in His discipline (Hebrews 12:7-11) and in the trials that He allows to come your way. (James 1:2-5) May you trust in His plans to prosper you and to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) May you endure the trials of this life maintaining an eternal perspective with your eyes and mind stayed on Him. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:25, 26)