WHERE IS GOD WHEN… (Part 2)
In my last blog I talked about how God uses adverse circumstances that make no sense at the time. Case in point was Mary and Joseph having to travel by donkey through dry, dangerous land with her 9 months pregnant. When they arrived in Bethlehem there was no place for them except a dark, damp, smelly and very dirty cave with no privacy and no sanitation. There, without family and friends (but hopefully with a midwife) she went through labor and delivery for the first time in her life. Where was God when they prayed for a place to stay? Why did He provide this? For one thing, it showed Jesus’ humiliation, from reigning in heaven to birth in a stable. He put aside everything to become one of us (Philippians 2:7). It set the tone of poverty and rejection for His whole life. Truly He knows what we go through. (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16).
God also used these adverse circumstances to stretch Mary and Joseph’s faith. They would face much adversary in the future: fleeing to Egypt, returning to Nazareth and watching their son’s rejection and crucifixion. Trusting God no matter what was a lesson they needed to learn early on.
God uses situations we don’t like or understand to stretch and grow our faith as well. Why would He allow cancer, unemployment, family breakup or any number of painful events in our lives? He uses them to bring about our growth and His glory (Romans 8:28-29). They remind us we need Him.
We should not be surprised when they happen, for a servant is not greater than His master (John 13:16; 15:20). If Jesus suffered, so will we. God will use it to help make us more like Jesus. When we respond in trust and submission, our faith will grow and so will our dependence on Him.
Yes, God uses adverse circumstances that make no sense at the time. He is God and does whatever pleases Him (Psalm 115:3). The circumstances we ask God to change are often the circumstances God is using to change us (Max Lucado). Where is God when we suffer? The same place He was when His Son suffered far more than we ever will.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Has your faith grown to the place where you trust God no matter what, even when things don’t seem to make sense? Have you given up a feeling of entitlement and yielded to His will in your life, whatever it may be? Can you trust that whatever happens is because He loves you and has a plan for your life? Pray and commit whatever you are going through now to Him, to use for His glory.