Things I Cannot Understand

As we head into the second half of the year and racing season, it seems the finish line for 2015 is still a long way off. Our next stop is in the Lonestar state and a very hot San Antonio! The long run across the southern states, gave us the opportunity to listen to the classic, ‘The Pilgrims Progress’ by John Bunyan.

I believe this is the 4th time I’ve heard the allegory and was amazed at how timeless the message is. As we listened to the book, we would pause and reflect on the various parts and how they applied to us in specifics and the church and Christ followers in general. What we realized is the message and trouble of Christ followers has changed little in the last 2000 years.

Love God, love people, stay on the narrow path and realize trouble and fortune will be part of your life as the Lord wills. I know, to condense our lives in Christ down to a few words in one line may seem ludicrous, but when we boil it all down, this is the simplest way to describe it.

We have enjoyed great joy and sorrow over the last few weeks of life. The news of another grandchild coupled with the sudden and unexpected death of friend can leave us questioning God’s plan for our lives. Psalm 30:4-5, “4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

As I walk through life I have learned to place my hope in the Lord. He is my constant companion, He will never forsake me. When life gets weird, He is my refuge, my hope and my strong tower. If you find yourself in a hard place today, place you hope in the creator of all things. You will find peace in the arms of our Father.

Blessings

Things I Cannot Understand
by Os Hillman

“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job 42:3b

If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God’s love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth – all at the same time. His friends came to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as “blameless and upright” (see Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. Job acknowledged God’s right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He questioned God’s motives.

God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. He fell flat before his Creator and realized his total depravity. “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”

Have you ever questioned God’s activity in your life? Have you questioned His love for you based on circumstances that came your way? The cross at Calvary answers the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the only person on earth, He would have done the same. His ways cannot always be understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time when all will be understood. For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace Him in the hard times and the good.