We do not need to understand, just to trust

 We serve a God of all hope who has an unfailing plan for all that he has created.  Those who have put their trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ are now called children and co-heirs in the kingdom of God.  Yet as we hold on to this truth and live for Christ, the darkness of this present world can overwhelm even the most seasoned Christian.  As much as we trust and believe that God has  a purpose in all that comes against us, why is it so difficult to understand it when troubles besiege us?

The word of God tells us plainly in Isaiah 55:8-9,

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Our finite reasoning can never align with God’s judgments.  His ways are perfect.  We are the dust of the ground who only have worth because we are loved by our Creator.  For the same reasoning, who can understand the love of a pure and holy God who would send his only Son to suffer and die to pay to redeem a lost and ungrateful people?  It is a love that knows no boundaries.  It is an all consuming love that never fails. God is never hedged in by our ways or our thoughts.  He knows the right and perfect way and he alone has the power to make it happen. 

When Jesus left this world,  he promised to send us the Holy Spirit who would be our helper.  He knew that there would be many problems for us while we are here and he knew that we would need his Spirit to get us through.  Day by day we are being transformed into the image of Christ by the Spirit’s power.  Our daily battles are fought and won by God’s right hand.  However, painful trials can make us question if God is really with us.   It is not an easy task to trust him when you watch as a loved one suffers.  It takes every ounce of strength to keep your eyes on God instead of your pain.  Many believers had to endure financial difficulties, marriage strife and heart aches of every kind.  Jesus did not say that we would be without these struggles.  He said that he would always be with us and give us the victory.  All that he allows is for a divine purpose.  He alone knows what it will take to fulfill the plan he had for our lives long before the earth was formed.  He knew every storm we would face while we were in our mothers’ womb.  He had a way to part the sea and move the mountains that would try to stop us.  And he knew that we would not understand his ways.  It would take an uncompromising faith in him that defied our reasoning to believe when we have no power to do anything else.

Paul tells us in Philippians 1: 29,” For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him“.   Who among us  can know the mind of God or understand his judgments?  Jesus said that we would not even comprehend the beauty of heaven until we got there.  No one in all of Scripture that God used for glory ever understood how or why God made them take the path that he did. Human logic certainly can’t explain it.   The fact that remains is that you will not ever understand why God allows evil at times to prosper while the righteous suffer.  That is when we have to trust in the unfailing love of God.  This love that we learn of when we are in the furnace of our affliction is the power that is going to take us into glory.  If we can trust and believe when the ground around us is crumbling, then we have shown ourselves to be true sons and daughters of  the living God!  And God has said that he will give an immeasurable reward to those who hold on and trust to the end.

You don’t have to understand the ways of God.  You only need to know of his unfailing love.  By his own word, God has promised to withhold no good from those whose walk is righteous.  That means that if you belong to Christ, every struggle, pain, heartache and suffering that you withstand is ordained and timed by him and will be used for your good.  You can’t lose because with Christ, you will always be more than a conqueror! 

Dear Jesus,  I lift up all those who are going through a painful time in their life.  I pray that you will give them the peace that they need to stand in trust knowing that you are with them.  Help them to know that you have a purpose and a direction for their lives that cannot be stopped by their circumstance.  I pray that they will understand that in you, there is always victory.  Please comfort them now with your love and hold them close to you.  Amen