Thanks for helping spread the word about the blog! The Scripture I'm soaking in on this Friday is Isaiah 45:8-25. A conversation with God doesn't get much more personal than here in Isaiah. Go back and read it again, more carefully. Is God speaking to you? I hear hims saying . . .
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd on the ground. (v. 9)
I haven't always been sure, God, that you were getting things right in my life. I wasn't sure if you really got the picture of what was fair, what made sense. But I realize I have no more right to question you than a pottery jar does its maker. Even less a broken piece (a potsherd). It's kind of silly to think of a jagged piece of pottery lying in the sand yelling at the potter, "Look what you've done!" You made me and the universe. You are Sovereign, the Ruler over what you have made, just like I'm in charge of anything I create.
Sometimes the ways God sees things and what he allows don't make sense to me. As Isaiah says in response, "Truly you are a God who hides himself" (v. 15). At least it seems that way at times. His ways and plans are often mysterious and it exasperates me that I can't see what he's up to. But instead of quarreling with him I will remind myself that he is God and I am not.
It occurs to me that when I challenge him, what I'm really wondering is whether I'm not actually fairer and more compassionate than him. That's the real burning question. And when I think about it I can see how ludicrous that is. Is it really humans that are so fair and compassionate? Would I permit my son to suffer and die for the sake of people who have ignored, offended and mocked me?
No, as God goes on to say, "There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior. . . . They will say of me, 'In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.'" (v. 21, 24). God I will trust your goodness, your rightness, above my own . . . even when I don't understand.
Join the conversation! Please share your thoughts with us by commenting below. Either sign in with your Google account profile or just select Anonymous from the drop-down list.
I think many times when we don't understand the circustances we are in and what God is trying to teach us through them we think He has it all wrong. We start placing human attributions to Him and think he is unfair or just wrong and He can't possibly know what is best for me. Lord help me to be patient and wait on what you are teaching me. Open my eyes so I can see, open my heart so I can take in your lesson break down my stubborn ways and realize you are the Creator, The Alpha, The Only one who has my best interest at heart all of the time.
ReplyDelete"Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it"......(v.11-12)
ReplyDeleteWhy is it Lord that I do question what you are doing for me at times? I want to be in control of my own life......as if I don't remember what messes I made before trusting in you!! Lord, forgive me for not fully submitting to everything that you allow in my life.
"And we now that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28)
I think of this from a mother's perspective. I would never do anything to harm my son and I want him to learn from situations that occur in his life.....even the seemingly bad ones. Lord, help me to always cling to you and not be so concerned w/ how I want things to go in my life. If I would just allow you to be my master I would eventually see that your plans for me are always good!!
Michele
There are times when I was young, growing up with health issues, that I questioned why me? Now that I've been through the trials and chapters in my life, I know now that these health issues serve a purpose and make me who I am today. I no longer question "why me?" I now accept how he created me and I share my experiences with others in hopes to bring joy and life to others who may need it.
ReplyDeletePhilippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.