And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
– Romans 8:28
In yesterday’s post, Who’s On The Throne?, I talked about how when we put ourselves on the throne, rather than the rightful One, the Lord God Almighty, we will many times end up blaming Him for our mistakes, losses, failures, and such. I said that God is one of the many scapegoats we employee in a failed attempt to assuage ourselves from our fault and guilt.
There is, however, another side to this blame game that I feel it vital to address if I wish to be fair and just to us all. This other side can cut us deeply, lead us far from our only true source of comfort, and cause damage that when mixed with our human emotion and pride can ripple through not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us.
This blame stems from those events in our lives that occur which are beyond our control (because we are never really on THE throne- we are only fooling ourselves when we so arduously try to place ourselves thereon). These tragedies of life might include the death of a loved one at a young age; a terminal illness in the prime of our lives; and even such terrible events as robbery, rape, incest, etc.
Why would a loving, caring, sovereign God allow such travesty to occur? Why would He stand by and watch someone’s innocence be taken or do nothing as a young life is stopped short from no fault of their own? Anger, anger towards God Himself, builds up to the boiling point in many a person who has had to suffer through such a tragedy!
The truth is God could stop some of these things from taking place! Many of us have seen firsthand God intervene in our lives in such a way that we know without a doubt that it was Him alone that saved us from being struck by that car; steered clear of that fire; or healed of that incurable illness. Why does He not intervene in every case? Why does He save one child with cancer but the other dies after suffering for 5 years?
Isn’t that anger some of us feel well justified? Many books and lectures and I am sure blog posts have been written about this very subject. I too could fill a book about this or that in regards to this subject but it really is not necessary despite it seeming so.
It all boils down to this fact that all of us know-
All of us! We might try to fight against it; deny it; yell at it; and betray it (one of our favorite was of trying to avoid the truth we already know) but it does not change the matter of fact which is this: God knows best and works all things to the good for those that love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing (1 Peter 3:17).
Sin brings about evil which brings about death (Read Romans 5:12-21 for more on this). Sin is darkness and only the light of Jesus Christ can drive it out.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (1 Peter 5:10).
God allows what He allows for reasons only He knows which we will discover at His appointed time. Our job in this current state, whether in the valley of suffering or on the mountain of revelation, is to grow in our knowledge of Him so that when- not if- our time of testing comes from the Lord we will be able to patiently endure.
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (Romans 12:12).
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (1 Peter 2:19-25).
So, whenever we are tempted to become bitter and angry towards Our Creator; when our desire to place the blame on Him begins to turn us away from His face, let us stop and remember that He truly does know best and has our best interest in mind. Remember, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
That’s how much He loves us! The darkness will lie and tell us that isn’t so, and even our circumstances may appear to agree, but have faith for Jesus Himself says, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Believe on Him and the same will be true for you!
As You Rise 