Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of this Good
News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who
believe it to heaven. This message was preached first to the Jews alone,
but now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way. This Good
News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s
sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is
accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it,
“The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A dear friend of mined
recently posed two questions on Facebook that were intended to spark a
conversation…”When it's all said and done...what is the meaning of life?
What is the purpose of living?” One person replied…”One of my
questions is…why is Jesus delaying his return? This world is a big
mess.” This is a valid question. And I believe we find at least part
of the answer in this passage from the first chapter of Romans.
In
my opinion, our job is not to question why Jesus is taking so long…or
even why “bad things happen to good people”. Will the answers really
make us feel any better or change what is happening? I believe the more
important question to ask is, “What would You have me do with this,
LORD?”…and then we must trust His answer.
I know people who have
endured unspeakable challenges…and done so without complaining. They
have exhibited amazing calm and peace…incredible grace and courage.
They have trusted God…and He has sustained them. I’ve even heard others
ask of them, “How can you be so calm and collected?” Let me assure
you, these people may be crushed on the inside. They may be hurting
deeply - and crying out to God for His wisdom and comfort when no one
else is around. But they are also trusting God to answer. And they are
finding life – and its true meaning – in the process. My answer to my
friend’s question would have to be, at least in part, that we are living
to love and serve Christ…to further God’s kingdom and fulfill His plans
– and this includes any and all “bumps in the road”.
We need
look no further than the life of Jesus Christ…His torture, crucifixion,
death and resurrection…to see that “bad things happen” to even the most
Perfect One. So this cannot be our crutch or excuse. Clearly our faith
in God sustains us – and makes us right with Him. I’m ready to go “full
in” with God – to trust Him completely. I’ve seen evidence in my own
life of how He is always with me…how God handles EVERYTHING when I calm
down and let Him have control.
I am learning to find joy, peace
and contentment in any situation through my faith and trust in God. I
know that He is “making ready” my place in Heaven…and my job is to
patiently and faithfully serve Him on this earth until He calls for me.
What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Show all posts
Showing posts with label When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 29, 2014
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On April 27, 2014, the Center Hill, Arkansas, home of David and Karla Stracener was destroyed by a killer tornado. The couple huddled in a master bedroom closet with Karla’s elderly parents. When the storm passed, rescue workers dug the family from beneath the rubble that had moments earlier been a home built in 1945 by David Stracener’s grandfather. The Straceners stayed with David’s mother in the nearby town of Searcy until recently, when they moved into a temporary camper on the site of their former home.
If the story ended here, we would shake our heads and say, “That’s terrible. What an awful and devastating experience for this family.” But 13 days after the tornado struck, something even more tragic happened to the Straceners. Their son, Ben, had left his job in South Carolina as a fire truck safety feature inspector to return to Arkansas and help his parents in their recovery efforts. He and his girlfriend, Samantha Fowler, met with a pastor to receive pre-marital counseling. After they left this meeting, both Ben and Samantha were killed in a motorcycle accident. The pastor said that the couple were celebrating their future…which seemed full of promise. They were buried in the same grave a few days later.
David and Karla Stracener are in the process of rebuilding their home – and their lives. They note that when you lose everything – your home, your possessions, your vehicles…and most especially, your child – it’s hard to get going again. But they are determined to do this. They know that God is striding ahead of them and paving the way. Like other families who lost loved ones in this horrific storm…and those who have had to go on after the loss of a loved one – whether due to a dreadful accident or a lengthy illness - they can rest in the knowledge that God will never leave them.
Many of us face challenges and “storms”...experiences with the potential for devastation and loss, pain and heartache, or simply a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But we can all take courage in the confidence that we are not tackling these things alone. God is with us…taking the lead and providing strength, courage, wisdom and comfort. He picks up the slack and carries the heavier load when we think we can’t take another step. When we are spent, He allows us to rest in Him.
I pray that you never face the difficulties that have befallen David and Karla Stracener. We will never know why God allowed so much to happen to one family. But we can be assured that He is with them…that He numbers their steps and gives them all that they need to make it through this trial and conquer all that lies before them. Whatever you encounter today, God is right there with you. Do you feel His presence? Are you able to let go and trust Him…to rest in His capable hands and allow Him to do the heavy lifting? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On April 27, 2014, the Center Hill, Arkansas, home of David and Karla Stracener was destroyed by a killer tornado. The couple huddled in a master bedroom closet with Karla’s elderly parents. When the storm passed, rescue workers dug the family from beneath the rubble that had moments earlier been a home built in 1945 by David Stracener’s grandfather. The Straceners stayed with David’s mother in the nearby town of Searcy until recently, when they moved into a temporary camper on the site of their former home.
If the story ended here, we would shake our heads and say, “That’s terrible. What an awful and devastating experience for this family.” But 13 days after the tornado struck, something even more tragic happened to the Straceners. Their son, Ben, had left his job in South Carolina as a fire truck safety feature inspector to return to Arkansas and help his parents in their recovery efforts. He and his girlfriend, Samantha Fowler, met with a pastor to receive pre-marital counseling. After they left this meeting, both Ben and Samantha were killed in a motorcycle accident. The pastor said that the couple were celebrating their future…which seemed full of promise. They were buried in the same grave a few days later.
David and Karla Stracener are in the process of rebuilding their home – and their lives. They note that when you lose everything – your home, your possessions, your vehicles…and most especially, your child – it’s hard to get going again. But they are determined to do this. They know that God is striding ahead of them and paving the way. Like other families who lost loved ones in this horrific storm…and those who have had to go on after the loss of a loved one – whether due to a dreadful accident or a lengthy illness - they can rest in the knowledge that God will never leave them.
Many of us face challenges and “storms”...experiences with the potential for devastation and loss, pain and heartache, or simply a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But we can all take courage in the confidence that we are not tackling these things alone. God is with us…taking the lead and providing strength, courage, wisdom and comfort. He picks up the slack and carries the heavier load when we think we can’t take another step. When we are spent, He allows us to rest in Him.
I pray that you never face the difficulties that have befallen David and Karla Stracener. We will never know why God allowed so much to happen to one family. But we can be assured that He is with them…that He numbers their steps and gives them all that they need to make it through this trial and conquer all that lies before them. Whatever you encounter today, God is right there with you. Do you feel His presence? Are you able to let go and trust Him…to rest in His capable hands and allow Him to do the heavy lifting? Isn’t it time you were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 16, 2013
March 16 ~ Job 2:9
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, author Harold S. Kushner tells the story of Martin Gray, who survived the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust. He married, built a successful life, and raised a family. One day his wife and children were killed in a forest fire that destroyed their home in the south of France. Some demanded an inquiry as to whether there was negligence or someone was at fault. But Gray refused. He said that accusing others for your misery only makes you lonelier. He maintained that life has to be lived for something, not against it.
An awful lot of us are living our lives against something. We are seeking blame or making excuses. Basically, we are ready to “curse God and die.” I once knew someone who turned her back on God after her father’s death. In her words, “What kind of God would allow my daddy to suffer like that?!” Indeed, it does often seem hard to comprehend the hardships some face. But giving situations a purpose and meaning often makes them more bearable Kushner points out that soldiers who lose a limb fighting for something have a better outlook than those who suffered the same in jury in a car or boating accident.
It often seems that in order to maintain our integrity, we must find the purpose for everything… and it had better be a good one! In other words, when troubles come, we give up on God and take whatever means necessary to survive and/or feel good. We are easily persuaded to “curse God and die” – inwardly, at least, if not literally.
My prayer for each of us today is that we would not sit back and wait on God to show us His purpose for our lives in each situation… but that we would endeavor to find it and to create good outcomes out of even seemingly bad situations. THIS is the mark of integrity… to consistently maintain our values, principles, and expectations… to never waiver in our faith - even when things are crumbling around us. The person of integrity doesn’t ask, “Why me, LORD?” He/she asks, “Where do I go from here? What are You showing me?”
These are the questions for today… “What is God showing you? And what are you doing with it?” Will you give meaning to the things that happen in your life - with God’s help - or are you ready to curse Him and die? Are you living your life for something… or against it? The choice is yours. Our reactions to people, situations and circumstances gives them meaning – either positive or negative. What are yours saying about you… and your faith in God to handle all things?
©2013 Debbie Robus
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
In his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, author Harold S. Kushner tells the story of Martin Gray, who survived the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust. He married, built a successful life, and raised a family. One day his wife and children were killed in a forest fire that destroyed their home in the south of France. Some demanded an inquiry as to whether there was negligence or someone was at fault. But Gray refused. He said that accusing others for your misery only makes you lonelier. He maintained that life has to be lived for something, not against it.
An awful lot of us are living our lives against something. We are seeking blame or making excuses. Basically, we are ready to “curse God and die.” I once knew someone who turned her back on God after her father’s death. In her words, “What kind of God would allow my daddy to suffer like that?!” Indeed, it does often seem hard to comprehend the hardships some face. But giving situations a purpose and meaning often makes them more bearable Kushner points out that soldiers who lose a limb fighting for something have a better outlook than those who suffered the same in jury in a car or boating accident.
It often seems that in order to maintain our integrity, we must find the purpose for everything… and it had better be a good one! In other words, when troubles come, we give up on God and take whatever means necessary to survive and/or feel good. We are easily persuaded to “curse God and die” – inwardly, at least, if not literally.
My prayer for each of us today is that we would not sit back and wait on God to show us His purpose for our lives in each situation… but that we would endeavor to find it and to create good outcomes out of even seemingly bad situations. THIS is the mark of integrity… to consistently maintain our values, principles, and expectations… to never waiver in our faith - even when things are crumbling around us. The person of integrity doesn’t ask, “Why me, LORD?” He/she asks, “Where do I go from here? What are You showing me?”
These are the questions for today… “What is God showing you? And what are you doing with it?” Will you give meaning to the things that happen in your life - with God’s help - or are you ready to curse Him and die? Are you living your life for something… or against it? The choice is yours. Our reactions to people, situations and circumstances gives them meaning – either positive or negative. What are yours saying about you… and your faith in God to handle all things?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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