Why do we suffer loss and pain, other
physical ailments and such?
Sometimes I believe it is only for His
glory but in today's reading I read of how angry God was with Israel
His son. He was so angry and hurt that he was sending Israel back to
Egypt to suffer for their disobedience to His plan for them. He was
hurt that they worshiped false gods instead of following His
directions and only worshiping Him. The metal calf was not going to
heal, comfort and fight for them and yet they foolishly followed the
crowd and did what was 'the thing to do' for their time.
(Hosea 9, 10 and 11)
Why do we cause such calamities to come
upon us? We are foolish as Israel at times I am sure; and we make our
own messes. You have no doubt heard the saying “you made your bed
now you have to lye in it” this is the answer to a lot of what we
have to fight through in life. We set ourselves up for failure when
we do not check with God first.
Many times we hear of people who moved
away from church or job and they are all excited because the money is
better and the hours are great and so they rush off with their eyes
closed only to run into a wall and realize this was not what they
thought it was. The job was not as glamorous as it was promoted as or
the salary came after fine print. Or maybe the money was there but
they had no idea what to do with that much so they spent it all, got
into debt and now they were crawling back to ask God for help.
Throughout the history of man we find
that blue print to failure, but we do not realise this until we read
the Word of God. Again and again the Israelites failed to follow the
most simplistic directions from God the Father. Obey the rules, don't
follow false gods, don't do what the other people are doing but do
what the Lord God their Father told them to do. He spells out his
rules in details and really they make a lot of sense. Do not kill
maim or otherwise harm another person or their stuff, and follow and
worship God the Father. The one True God, simple.
Apparently not.
Things got so bad that God stated to
His prophet that He actually hated Israel. Then He turned to look at
Judah, the other 'child'. Though they came from Israel when it was
divided back in David's time, Judah really did try to follow after
God and His directions. Judah is the line that brought us Jesus. God
forgave Israel eventually but history both in the Bible and out shows
us that He is not finished with His wrath being thrust upon them.
He wants a pure people, a people who
are willing to suffer for Him, to do the will of God, to be obedient
to His directions, rules and to follow His promises and know what
they are. He wants a people who know the Bible well enough to not
just share it on the street from the heart but to know if what we
hear on the radio or even from the pulpit is misquoted. More than
all of this He wants us to spend time with Him, getting to know Him
as much as He gets to know us. He wants that one on one time.
He wants us to know that He loves us
and will hold our hands and guide us through the swamps of life to
safety if we only let Him.
That is where the problem lies; we must
humble ourselves and understand that we need His help in our lives.
We must accept that we cannot do life alone. I think that is the
hardest thing for most people to do, to realize that God is a
necessity in their lives. We people get so caught up in if He exists
that once we really get that part we forget that He exists with a
purpose, and that we do too.
We get all caught up in religiosity and
if we are a Christian or what and who is acting like one and who is
not that we forget that God just wants our heart, our obedience, and
our ears to hear what He tells us to do. Then we can't help but
follow the directions and loving guidance He gives us, when we hear
His voice, see where He wants us to walk it all falls into place.
I think that is what the scripture that
says; “Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and
all these things shall be added to you...” is all about.
When we look to Him, the person, and we
get to know what He is like and who He really is then it is so easy
to follow what He wants from us.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not in your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge
Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-7
Do you think this scripture is so
popular that people forget to really read it? We are giving the
instructions right there;
Trust him with all your heart –
not just a part but all of what is dear and near and hurts and fears;
all your heart.
Lean not in your own
understanding; – stop trying to do what is right in our own
eyes! It is the understanding that comes via the Holy Spirit part of
God that gives us true understanding and enlightens us with the Word
of God and truth.
Study to show yourselves approved rightly dividing
the Word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15
This comes when we understand that
we need the Holy Spirit's help to understand what He has written for
us. To our own fleshly eye the Bible is just another history book.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
– Everything you do, all your ways. God is there in all that you do
what He wants from you and me is to notice Him. Like you acknowledge
someone who walks into the room when you are busy you look to them,
nod and think about the fact someone is there; God wants you to nod
at Him today!
And (then) He will direct your
path – It is required to follow the above in order to
receive the below. Wow, that statement says it all. We all think He
is going to set it out before us and tell us every step or something
without us doing anything? You know it is true; there are times we do
not want to put forth the effort to complete a task so we cop out and
say God did not show us where to go. He said when we trust Him, don't
try to figure out what we are to do and then acknowledge that He is
there with us He will show us where to go, or tell us where to go and
what to do. It s free but we have to follow the above order in order
to receive the directions below.
Dear Heavenly Father; thank you that even when we suffer pain, sorrow or discomfort that we can look to you and know that You are with us and that You will show us what to do in or through our trials and suffering. Help us to follow Your guidance as we walk with You each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Suggested reading; Psalm 49:1-20 Hosea
9:1-17, 10:1-10 and 11:1-12, and Hosea 14:1-9