He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
Proverbs 30:5
There is
blind belief and there is belief based upon proven fact. We visited a church this past Sunday that
issued a challenge to the people to test God’s word. They said that if you tithe for 60 days and
do not see God provide for you, then the church would write you a check for the
full amount that you had given over those two months. This is based on Malachi 3:10, “’Bring the
whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me in this,’ says the Lord
of Hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for
you a blessing until it overflows.’” Lord
of Hosts is God’s battle name. He is
saying, “I am the commander. I will take
care of your needs because you are under My command.” God says to test Him. His word will stand. It has stood against time and kingdoms and
insurrections. God can handle your
questioning, your anger, your discussion.
His word will stand, and in the process, you will climb upon the solid
rock.
When life
happens and you have walked with God and lived a biblically pure life, but
still find yourself a victim of sin or circumstances, it is natural to wonder
and ask and question and fume. Use your
anger and need for justice to seek out answers from the God Who Is The
Answer. Job questioned God. David
questioned God. I have questioned
God. If we are honest with ourselves we
have all questioned God. There are some
that live by blind faith, “God says it, I believe it, end of story.” But the honest ones will say that they got
there because they questioned and found God faithful. Others say it because they are afraid to
question because, “What if God can’t stand up to the test?”
I became a
Christian by searching for truth. I had
a Times Life coffee table book called Religions of the World. I read it and studied it and found truth only
in Christianity. I read the Bible and
started attending a church. I began to
see the God of creation. I began
believing in Jesus and His offer of redemption through the cross.
When I was confronted with becoming a Christian, it was the next right
step because the word of God had proved true in my life. It did not take away the facts of child abuse
or take me out of my situation. But it
answered the big questions and filled a need for unconditional love and
acceptance in my life. I have questioned
God often since my conversion at age 13.
Why do I have to suffer so much pain?
Why do I have to lose a friend?
Why does my friend have cancer?
Why did my son’s wife leave after just 13 months of marriage? Why do kids have to deal with the sins of
their parents? Why doesn’t God come down
and right wrongs and injustices? I have
tried to understand. I have formulated
answers. I have thrown some away and
have stuck to others. But through it all
my relationship with God has not wavered.
It has grown. It has
changed.
God is
infinite. I am not. God is not limited to time. I am.
God is the answer; He does not have to give me all the answers. But as I cry out to understand, through His
word and His presence He reassures me that He is in control; that He loves me;
and that His promises are forever. For a
time there is sadness and crying, but He will wipe away the tears. We see in a mirror dimly, but then we will
understand it all.
Hint of the
Day:
Get alone with God. Cry, scream,
question, and be still. Let God comfort
you and minister to your heart. Seek Him
not for answers, but as the Answer. I
know a couple of people who actually set up a chair in their closet as their
prayer closet. I often find myself in
the car parked at a park or behind a church.
Anywhere private will do. But be
honest. Be real. God can handle our emotions. He made them.
He made us. And most of all, He
cares. God may come to you immediately
or He may not. Continue on until you
know that you have been in His presence.
Leave rejoicing.
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