Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things. Ps. 107: 8-9
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron. Ps. 107: 15-16
Like so many, my heart has been heavy these last few days. I’ve found myself angry with God. Asking why would He let such an awful thing happen to the innocent. I’m not sure I’m quite over my anger yet. Perhaps that’s because I’ve been dealt several personal blows recently so I’m feeling tested. Even the events of the last few days feel like a personal attack. A trial I’m meant to endure. A test of my faith.
When my health started to become an issue a few months ago, I found myself in prayer one morning telling God, “go ahead God, test me! My faith won’t falter!” Perhaps I should be careful what I wish for. I’m not suggesting I had anything to do with that evil last week, but it did have me shaking my fist at Him. Wondering again why my faith was being tested.
Then I read these words in the Psalms. I love how the Psalms always comfort me. Even the laments for some reason have a way of calming my spirit. I read them and they drive home the point that God’s love is unfailing. He will, eventually, satisfy our thirst and hunger. He will break down the gates for us. It isn’t my right to judge Him for not intervening, because only He has the power to satisfy, to cut through the bars of iron, to heal. After all, I wasn’t there when he created the heavens and the earth. I wasn’t there when he breathed life into Adam. God’s plan is so much bigger than I could ever wrap my head around, and I trust that He has a purpose for this current set of circumstances happening in my life.
Thank you God for your plans for me. Help me to either understand them (even if just a little bit) or to truly trust you. And please grant us all strength and peace in these difficult days. I love you God. Amen
Jim
(jmitch1)
Sixty-six books in a year 
I read a quote by missionary Adoniram Judson to another missionary, he wrote, “I can assure you that months and months of heartrending anguish are before you, whether you will or not. Yet take the bitter cup with both hands, and sit down to your repast. You will soon learn a secret, that there is sweetness at the bottom.” Another group of missionaries were warned about heading into dangerous territory–they’d lose their lives. And they responded, “We already died.” I have a hard time, still, separating myself from what God would have for me (or maybe it’s more like uniting myself with what God would have for me!). Sometimes with trial, I think of it as an affront to me personally, when it is an opportunity God has placed before me to bring glory to him in some form (either through blessing an enemy, being patient or kind, sharing something about God or his kingdom, etc). Sometimes I don’t bring glory to him, through stewing in a perceived injustice, but even in that there is learning … eventually. Knowing there is an eternity outside of time helps put things in perspective–and knowing God holds it all together is something I cling to on the worst days. Like you said, there is a plan and a purpose, much bigger than we can understand. Thanks for these words today, Jim. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
I don’t know what purpose the tragedies in life serve, but I know you have a purpose on this earth to fulfill. You can only do that in sync with your God! Seek Him, just as you did, and you will be satisfied.