Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Answering the WHY Questions

Life can be tough at times. There are those days when you seem to be surrounded by troubles. My mom is back in the hospital with a kidney infection and a bout of diverticulitis. She is somewhat frail but their thinking is that she needs the IV drip for the antibiotics. Please say a prayer for her today. We have needs in our family we are praying about. We have the physical ailments we are dealing with. We have extended family undergoing tough times and many friends and fellow believers who are walking through some pretty dark valleys. One wonderful man in our Church is very seriously ill and currently fighting many infections and complications. My wife and I visited him last night in his ICU room and were able to be a part of a prayer circle there with his wife and others. He and his wife are exemplary role models of what it means to be true servants of God and I would ask you to whisper a prayer for our dear brother Gary.

As I sat looking at this wonderful man of God fighting for his very life, I heard his wife mention to the other ladies there that you cannot help but ask why. That's a question we all have struggled with from time to time. Why? What is the purpose? How could this situation, trial, or problem ever turn into anything good? There are no doubt many theologians who have pondered the depths of these questions that challenge the essence of our faith, but I've learned during my brief stay here on the planet that many times there is only one answer. On the surface this answer may not seem to satisfy the probing questions we might have, but it's the only one I know that makes sense to a believer. The answer before the trouble is God, the answer during the trouble is God, and the answer after the trouble and forever and ever, Amen, is God.

You might say that's a cop out but for those of us who have abandoned ourselves into His sovereign care, it is the only answer I have. Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. We are not victims even in our times of great distress for truth tells us that nothing can separate us from His love. In that famous passage found in Romans chapter 8, verses 28-39, the New Life Version puts it this way: "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan. God knew from the beginning who would put their trust in Him. So He chose them and made them to be like His Son. Christ was first and all those who belong to God are His brothers. He called to Himself also those He chose. Those He called, He made right with Himself. Then He shared His shining-greatness with those He made right with Himself. What can we say about all these things? Since God is for us, who can be against us? God did not keep His own Son for Himself but gave Him for us all. Then with His Son, will He not give us all things? Who can say anything against the people God has chosen? It is God Who says they are right with Himself. Who then can say we are guilty? It was Christ Jesus Who died. He was raised from the dead. He is on the right side of God praying to Him for us. Who can keep us away from the love of Christ? Can trouble or problems? Can suffering wrong from others or no food? Can it be because of no clothes or because of danger or war? The Holy Writings say, "Because of belonging to Jesus, we are in danger of being killed all day long. We are thought of as sheep that are ready to be killed." (Psalm 44:22) But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord."

This doesn't make it easier to watch a beloved mate suffer but yet He is the answer to that situation. This truth does not make the difficulties in the lives of our children go away but yet He is the answer. Jesus said we would not escape tribulation in living out our life here in this world. That word tribulation in the Greek language meant a pressing, pressing together, or pressure. It involved the concept of oppression, affliction, and distress. Not a very pretty picture, but He did not stop there. He, in the very same sentence said this, "But be of good cheer because I have overcome the world." That's it. That's all I have. He is the answer to all our questions, fears, troubles, sorrows, and even the undeserved blessings. He is the answer. May He bring comfort as only He can and may we be His vessels of comfort to those in need. Amen. .......More later.

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