“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:13-14 NLT)
Do you find it strange that we’re so often tolerant about our unfaithfulness to God and so intolerant of others, some of whom are doing the same things that we do? We get a juicy morsel of information about someone in the church, but though we may not have the whole context, we may not even personally know them, but that doesn’t stop us from sending out a “prayer request” for our poor brother or sister who was caught in this grievous sin.
Yet, when we’re the “victim,” when we’re the one who has been caught in an indiscretion, then we can’t believe the ugly “lies” that are circulating about us. Why does the Lord allow those kinds of things? Could it be because far too often God is the One who is the subject of our wrong thinking, but we’re too blind to realize it.
Ironically, when we’re walking close to the Lord, He enables us to weather our storms with grace, kindness, and love, because that’s how He wants us to treat each other. We too quickly forget the Lord is the Ruler of everything; that He engineers circumstances to fit His plan and schedule, not ours. He allows things to touch our lives, not to make us bitter, but to make us better.
Jonas Clarke wrote: “However dark and mysterious the ways of providence may appear; yet nothing shall overwhelm the mind, or destroy the trust and hope of those, that realize the government of Heaven…that an all wise God is seated on the throne and that all things are well appointed…for them that fear Him.”
David Jeremiah wrote: “On the first anniversary of the Battle of Lexington—the beginning of the American Revolution—local pastor Jonas Clarke preached a sermon. He spoke eloquently about God’s overruling providence. He said, ‘Next to the acknowledgement of the existence of a Deity, there is no one principle of greater importance…than…belief of the divine government and…providence…. That God is Governor among the nations, that his government is wise and just, and that all our times and changes are in his hands.’” (See Turning Point Divine Government – 04-04-25)
We unnecessarily cause ourselves trauma, worry, anxiety, and torment of soul and spirit when we fret about things that are out of our control. (Newsflash: EVERYTHING is out of our control!) But, fortunately for those of us who know Him, God is NEVER out of control. Nothing ever touches our life except it passes through the filter of His permission; however, that doesn’t mean we’re going to agree with it or like it.
I hated that I had to go through a divorce, but the things the Lord is continuing to teach me because of it is making it worthwhile. There are those of you who have lost children, grandchildren, and other loved ones, the loss of whom bears no logical explanation. It seems the only reasonable question is WHY? But that’s the wrong question.
Understanding and trusting that God is in control and knows everything from beginning to end and that He has allowed this tragedy for reasons we may not ever fully understand until we get to the other side might not give us an explanation, but I do know this: if we’ll be open and submissive to His authority in our lives, He will give Himself to us in ways we would have never experienced Him had we not gone through the pain and heartache we endured. That may not ease the pain, but it can sure make it more tolerable.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 