|
We humans are strange illogical
creatures. I am often baffled by the
impulses of my flesh that I buy into that contradict everything I know of God’s
character and works.
Case and point. When I hit hard times in my life, my first
response is frustration toward God and prayers for the removal of whatever
uncomfortable situation I find myself in.
I behave as though the most spiritual and righteous thing God could do
would be to quickly and completely remove my pain.
This thinking is not biblical…
it’s fictional. As I look at the
consistent counsel of Scripture I find that God is not overly concerned with my
comfort. He is concerned with His
glorification through my situation.
Number one, my struggle is a necessary element of my growth and His
glorification. And number two, the
expedient removal of my struggle may very well diminish both of those
outcomes.
Goliath was not simply a
terrifying enemy placed in a young man’s path.
He was an opportunity. An
opportunity for David’s growth and God’s glorification. The man born blind in John 9 had lived a
lifetime in darkness and even Jesus’ disciples saw his infliction as a pitiable
and negative situation. Jesus saw something
else.
“And
His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
parents, that he should be born blind?"
Jesus answered, "{It was} neither {that} this man sinned, nor his
parents; but {it was} in order that the works of God might be displayed in
him.” (John 9:2-3)
Let’s
take another look at those things we most resent in our lives and see if we may
not be missing a far bigger picture. God
is in no hurry to fix you. Abraham
waited decades for God’s promise to be fulfilled, the Israelites spent
centuries waiting to be delivered. Wait
on the Lord and believe that He has not forgotten you in your pain. But He has your character and His glory in
mind and nothing less.
“Those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run
and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Without
A Giant
Without a giant, the shepherd boy would have
gone back home to his field
Without his blindness, the beggar man would
have sat by the road in silence
And watched his Savior pass him by
Lord let me see that what has come is not
proof You’ve forsaken me
Let me see this fear through Your eyes
Define me on the field and in the battle
Refine my life, ‘till all that’s left is You
Lord break me ‘till I yield to Your mercy
Lord finish Your work in me,
although I cannot see
Without a baby boy, the Word made flesh, I
never would have known my Savior
Without a cross and nails, the baby dies, the
victory is secured
Who’d have guessed, a victory through the
grave
Lord let me see that through it all, there’s
more to life than just surviving
Let me see the promise through the pain.
Define me on the field and in the battle
Refine my life, ‘till all that’s left is You
Lord break me ‘till I yield to Your mercy
Lord finish Your work in me,
and help me to believe
|