We read from Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
WHY, LORD?
It is a question every one of us has asked, at one time or another, when life doesn’t make sense or when God doesn’t come through like we think He should. Sudden trials, tragedies, and unwanted changes that disrupt our lives can often cause us to question God, doubt God, or even get angry and bitter at God.
ARE YOU MAD AT GOD?
I think that describes exactly what a lady named Naomi felt in the Book of Ruth. She was upset with God about what she had gone through. She, her husband and two sons left their hometown of Bethlehem because of a severe famine. They moved to what they thought would be the greener pastures of Moab. But the move to the land of Moab turned out to be a place of heartache and tragedy, not better times. Naomi’s husband and two sons died during their years in this pagan land. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with nothing but her daughter-in-law, Ruth. As they entered the city, Naomi (“pleasantness”) asked the people to call her Marah (“bitterness”), saying, “The Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:20-21). Needless to say, she was dealing with questions, doubts, and she had become bitter toward God.
IS IT WRONG TO ASK WHY?
As human beings, we want to know “why” when life caves in on us. We want to know why when God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we think He should. It is never wrong to ask why. But it is wrong to demand an answer to our whys. Some time ago, I read a statement a pastor made during a funeral service for a young baby who died just hours after being born. He told the family and those gathered that “God is not in the business of explaining; He’s in the business of sustaining.” Those were very wise words to share with that heartbroken family. You and I can ask why all we want, but we need to know that God doesn’t answer that question very often. His typical response to our why is simply this: “Just trust Me.”
YOU CAN TRUST HIM!
I believe one of the reasons God doesn’t answer our why questions is because we wouldn’t understand it if He did. As our verses for today remind us, God’s ways are so far above our ways. For God to explain the whys and how’s to you and me would be like explaining an algebra problem to a three-year-old. We simply don’t have the capacity to understand. So, “just trust Me” is really the best response and the best solution. Just trust the fact that God is God, and He loves you. He is good, and He never makes the slightest mistake. Nothing can come into your life until it first filters through His fingers of love. Remember, when you can’t see His hand, trust His heart! He has a plan and a purpose for everything.
Naomi had to work through her bitterness and anger. Thankfully, she did … and she saw God work miracles on her behalf. He took the worst and made it the best. He turned her bitterness into blessedness. What the Lord did for Noami is described exactly in the promise of Isaiah 61:3 as He gave her “…beauty for ashes…” just like the prophet said. Only our Lord can do that!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you going through some dark and difficult times right now? Is your marriage in trouble, your health failing, your family in turmoil, your finances in the toilet, or your job a disaster? Do you feel like “the Almighty has dealt very bitterly” with you? Don’t allow yourself to get resentful and angry at God. That never has a good outcome. Get down on your knees and give your questions and your hurts to the Lord and leave them at the foot of the cross. Make the choice to trust Him and His goodness, even though you don’t understand what He is doing and how He is working. Be assured, He hasn’t forgotten about you. He has promised to work all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Follow his example and say with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15).
And be reminded again from our verses for today, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Think it over…
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