Psalm 118:4
Let every true worshiper
of the Lord shout,
“God is always merciful!”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Nearly
every day, “memories” pop up on my Facebook page…a photo of something I
posted 2, 3, or even 5 years ago or longer. Facebook gives me the
opportunity to “share” these memories again. I don’t do this often…I
find that people don’t read the fine print and think these are new
events that are just now happening. And today, a “memory” from one year
ago today showed up – and I chose not to share it again on my timeline.
It was a photo of my mother’s dog, Spot. One year ago today, Spot left
this earth. He was my mother’s faithful companion for 15 years. And
while she knew that he was nearing the end of his life, the timing – and
manner – in which it his life ended was somewhat traumatic and sudden.
Ever
pragmatic and faithful, Mother took this in stride, as she did almost
everything in her life. She was scheduled for hand surgery the next
morning to try to correct carpal tunnel syndrome…and she looked at this
as God’s way of protecting her – AND Spot – from the difficulties of
caring for him while her hand was in a big bandage and she was somewhat
incapacitated. This was God’s mercy for an obedient servant and her
faithful puppy dog.
As I looked at the picture of Spot today and
thought of my mother – now in heaven with him – I realized that God’s
mercy was not just for that day…but for many days to follow. God saw
the big picture and knew that my mother was going to be unable to
adequately care for Spot in the months ahead. He knew that her husband,
Lee, was not truly a dog lover…and that leaving him to care for Spot
would be unfair to all of them. This was God’s mercy for Lee, too.
So
often, we don’t understand – or recognize – God’s mercy…especially in
the moment. It seems so hard to comprehend why certain things are
happening…their timing and the circumstances. But we don’t understand
God’s timetable…we don’t fully grasp His mercy over us.
Let today
be the day that you begin to operate in the confidence that “God is
merciful!” Worship Him more fully…knowing that He plans out the most
infinite details of our lives - and always considers what is best for
us. Never underestimate God’s timing…or His love and care. Let every
true worshiper of the Lord shout, “God is always merciful!” And let
this be the day that you really begin to doubt less and trust more, as
you grow in faith and courage…and trust in God’s promises for every
facet of your life.
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label questioning God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label questioning God. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 1, 2016
Psalm 46:10
Our God says, “Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I stood in the shower and thought about the events that unfolded in our world in the last 24 hours. And I made a very profound promise to God …”I will not ask…”
I hear God saying, “Don’t you think I am with you, even now? Do you really know who I am?” And I am instantly humbled…and comforted…and blessed. Even in the middle of such chaos, God wants me to calm down…to “be still and know” that He is God – and He can handle all of this without any input from me!
I have no clue what 2016 is going to bring our way. But I know that we are going to get through every bit of it, because of God. When I kissed Greg goodnight and wished him a Happy New Year, my heart ached for him. I know the emptiness of losing a brother…we’ve been down the road of watching a parent suffer from a lengthy illness. I comforted my 80-something grandmother when my dad – her only son – died at the age of 63.
In the last several days, I’ve had my moments...but for the most part, I have been relatively calm. And people have asked, “How are you doing that?” My answer is simple…”I’m not…God is.” What about you? Who is holding you close today and keeping you calm? Isn’t it time you knew?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Our God says, “Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, I stood in the shower and thought about the events that unfolded in our world in the last 24 hours. And I made a very profound promise to God …”I will not ask…”
- I will not ask…why my husband’s brother endured surgery for prostate cancer in late July that brought a lengthy recovery, only to be involved in a deadly car crash just before Christmas.
- I will not ask…why my brother-in-law had to go through three surgeries for four bowel resections, a concussion, stroke and fractured sternum – and all of the tests, procedures and indignities that came with this, only to die ten days later.
- I will not ask…why my 66-year-old brother-in-law and his family members had to suffer through rounds of cardiac arrest, when death was the ultimate outcome.
- I will not ask…why my 89-year-old mother-in-law had to lose her middle son.
- I will not ask…why my own mother continues to decline with cancer that seems to be rapidly overtaking her body.
- I will not ask…why in the midst of all of this, Greg and I caught a respiratory bug that pretty well knocked us to our knees for about a week each.
- I will not ask…why others are sick, suffering, grieving…why wars are being fought and orphans have no home.
- I will not ask…why people are struggling with addictions, homelessness, money woes, discrimination and injustices of all kinds…and so much more.
I hear God saying, “Don’t you think I am with you, even now? Do you really know who I am?” And I am instantly humbled…and comforted…and blessed. Even in the middle of such chaos, God wants me to calm down…to “be still and know” that He is God – and He can handle all of this without any input from me!
I have no clue what 2016 is going to bring our way. But I know that we are going to get through every bit of it, because of God. When I kissed Greg goodnight and wished him a Happy New Year, my heart ached for him. I know the emptiness of losing a brother…we’ve been down the road of watching a parent suffer from a lengthy illness. I comforted my 80-something grandmother when my dad – her only son – died at the age of 63.
In the last several days, I’ve had my moments...but for the most part, I have been relatively calm. And people have asked, “How are you doing that?” My answer is simple…”I’m not…God is.” What about you? Who is holding you close today and keeping you calm? Isn’t it time you knew?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 12, 2015
Deuteronomy 31:8
Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I will apologize now…but you will probably hear a lot in the coming weeks/months about my mother, who has just begun chemotherapy for ovarian cancer…and the director of Children’s Ministries at our church - Donna, who suffered a brain bleed a few days ago and is in critical condition in the ICU of a Little Rock hospital. Though separated in age by about 25 years, both women have incredible faith in God and have been busy telling anyone who will listen that “God’s got this! He is in complete control…and it will all be okay.”
There are times when this is really hard to remember…even for the most faith-filled among us. When your mother is sick and suffering from the poison she has been given to kill cancer (which also does a number on your entire body – even the “good” cells) it would be easy to ask, “Where did God go?” When a young woman who is the heart and soul (not to mention an “efficiency machine”) for a ministry that serves dozens of children…a woman who is expecting her first grandbaby in February and serves as a foster parent (along with her husband) to a toddler…is literally knocked to her knees with a near-fatal brain hemorrhage…questioning God’s presence is understandable.
But here’s the thing…I’ve already seen God in action in both of these women…not only in the way they are conducting themselves, but also in the lives they are touching in these circumstances. I’ve read the dozens – if not hundreds – of posts and comments to them on Facebook…I know that exponentially, there are probably THOUSANDS of people praying for both of them – and others like them. If you think about how many prayers are being uttered each day for others, you have to imagine that the din in Heaven is deafening! And yet, I believe that God hears each and every petition that is offered.
So while we all have situations and circumstances at one time or another that offer us the perfect opportunity to get discouraged and lose hope, we have every reason not to do so…and it is found in this amazing verse from Deuteronomy 31…” Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.”
Honestly, this is all we need to know. I’m standing on this promise and claiming it for my mom, my friend, and others. What about you? Are you worried and afraid? Are you ready to give that fear and concern to God and trust that He goes before you and will not fail? Will this be the day that we all “let go and let God?” Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I will apologize now…but you will probably hear a lot in the coming weeks/months about my mother, who has just begun chemotherapy for ovarian cancer…and the director of Children’s Ministries at our church - Donna, who suffered a brain bleed a few days ago and is in critical condition in the ICU of a Little Rock hospital. Though separated in age by about 25 years, both women have incredible faith in God and have been busy telling anyone who will listen that “God’s got this! He is in complete control…and it will all be okay.”
There are times when this is really hard to remember…even for the most faith-filled among us. When your mother is sick and suffering from the poison she has been given to kill cancer (which also does a number on your entire body – even the “good” cells) it would be easy to ask, “Where did God go?” When a young woman who is the heart and soul (not to mention an “efficiency machine”) for a ministry that serves dozens of children…a woman who is expecting her first grandbaby in February and serves as a foster parent (along with her husband) to a toddler…is literally knocked to her knees with a near-fatal brain hemorrhage…questioning God’s presence is understandable.
But here’s the thing…I’ve already seen God in action in both of these women…not only in the way they are conducting themselves, but also in the lives they are touching in these circumstances. I’ve read the dozens – if not hundreds – of posts and comments to them on Facebook…I know that exponentially, there are probably THOUSANDS of people praying for both of them – and others like them. If you think about how many prayers are being uttered each day for others, you have to imagine that the din in Heaven is deafening! And yet, I believe that God hears each and every petition that is offered.
So while we all have situations and circumstances at one time or another that offer us the perfect opportunity to get discouraged and lose hope, we have every reason not to do so…and it is found in this amazing verse from Deuteronomy 31…” Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; he will not fail nor forsake you.”
Honestly, this is all we need to know. I’m standing on this promise and claiming it for my mom, my friend, and others. What about you? Are you worried and afraid? Are you ready to give that fear and concern to God and trust that He goes before you and will not fail? Will this be the day that we all “let go and let God?” Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for December 7, 2013
Job 13:13-15
Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think. God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
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.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel!” If you have not ever uttered that phrase to someone, perhaps it has been expressed to you. And truly, there are people with whom we can be brutally honest, “vent” and share our innermost thoughts… and others for whom we sugarcoat the situation. I am truly blessed to have a mate and partner with whom I can be completely honest. I don’t have to pretend to Greg that I am having a good day when I am not. I can share my greatest joys with him with confidence that he will celebrate the victories with me. I can also express my deepest frustration and pain… and he will commiserate and console. It’s a “no-holds-barred” relationship… and I truly treasure this.
I am blessed to share a similar relationship with my best friend Marla Ann… and my cousin Natalie. Because of our relationship and our “history,” we share thoughts and feelings that nobody else would understand. We are comfortable being real and raw with each other about what is happening in our lives. And like the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we know we can be completely honest and transparent with each other… and nobody else will ever hear of it.
So here we are with Job. He is being persecuted and tortured with all sorts of afflictions. And he has decided to ask God exactly why this is happening to him. Others are warning him NOT to question God… suggesting that he will die for his audacity! But here’s the thing… Job knows that his only hope is God. It’s a risk he is willing to take.
Now remember, this all happened to Job long before Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so that we could have first-hand access to God. In Job’s day, mere mortals were not supposed to talk to God directly. They were expected to talk to a high priest who would intercede on their behalf. The nerve of Job to think he could just cry out to God and plead his case! But that is exactly what he did. And this is what we can do, as well.
God is more than our best friend… He is closer than our mate… He is always ready to hear from us - and never betrays our confidence. God wants to hear how we really feel! He can take it! This should be the best news you have had all day! This should fill each of us with hope and confidence… that God is ready, willing, and able to hear our petitions – and to answer them. We truly have nothing to lose. We are not Godless… and He will save us.
I am grateful for Greg, Marla Ann and Natalie. I am glad that God has given me earthly support in the form of these three people. But I am even more grateful for His love and care… and the promises He has made to me to meet my every need. So the question is, “Are you ready to take your life into your own hands and lay it on the line with God?” Is He your hope… your only hope? Will you be completely honest and open with Him and trust His guidance and care? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think. God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. But this is what will save me - I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
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.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel!” If you have not ever uttered that phrase to someone, perhaps it has been expressed to you. And truly, there are people with whom we can be brutally honest, “vent” and share our innermost thoughts… and others for whom we sugarcoat the situation. I am truly blessed to have a mate and partner with whom I can be completely honest. I don’t have to pretend to Greg that I am having a good day when I am not. I can share my greatest joys with him with confidence that he will celebrate the victories with me. I can also express my deepest frustration and pain… and he will commiserate and console. It’s a “no-holds-barred” relationship… and I truly treasure this.
I am blessed to share a similar relationship with my best friend Marla Ann… and my cousin Natalie. Because of our relationship and our “history,” we share thoughts and feelings that nobody else would understand. We are comfortable being real and raw with each other about what is happening in our lives. And like the phrase, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” we know we can be completely honest and transparent with each other… and nobody else will ever hear of it.
So here we are with Job. He is being persecuted and tortured with all sorts of afflictions. And he has decided to ask God exactly why this is happening to him. Others are warning him NOT to question God… suggesting that he will die for his audacity! But here’s the thing… Job knows that his only hope is God. It’s a risk he is willing to take.
Now remember, this all happened to Job long before Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so that we could have first-hand access to God. In Job’s day, mere mortals were not supposed to talk to God directly. They were expected to talk to a high priest who would intercede on their behalf. The nerve of Job to think he could just cry out to God and plead his case! But that is exactly what he did. And this is what we can do, as well.
God is more than our best friend… He is closer than our mate… He is always ready to hear from us - and never betrays our confidence. God wants to hear how we really feel! He can take it! This should be the best news you have had all day! This should fill each of us with hope and confidence… that God is ready, willing, and able to hear our petitions – and to answer them. We truly have nothing to lose. We are not Godless… and He will save us.
I am grateful for Greg, Marla Ann and Natalie. I am glad that God has given me earthly support in the form of these three people. But I am even more grateful for His love and care… and the promises He has made to me to meet my every need. So the question is, “Are you ready to take your life into your own hands and lay it on the line with God?” Is He your hope… your only hope? Will you be completely honest and open with Him and trust His guidance and care? Isn’t this a great day to begin?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 10, 2013
Isaiah 54:13
I will teach all your children,
and they will enjoy great peace.
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.
I have been amazed at how readily – and easily – Timothy accepts and embraces the lessons he is learning in Sunday school. My friend Alyce and I decorated the “craft room” this morning for our church's Vacation Bible School next week. I thought about all of the children who will pass through this area, creating beaded clay bowls, a lyre, a memory box and more to remind them of the Apostle Paul’s journey to Athens. I can almost hear the stories from Timothy now!
Do you remember your Sunday school days – or maybe Vacation Bible School? Do you remember how and when you first came to know about God… that He existed and that He loved you? Do you remember when you first began to question it all? As I studied commentaries on this scripture passage, I gained insight into how the Holy Spirit fills us as children… how God dwells in our hearts and teaches us. In our childlike wonder and purity, we accept His message as He “loads” us like little hard drives with His desires for our life. He also utilizes our surroundings, adults, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and other tools to reinforce our knowledge and wisdom of His love and devotion.
Somewhere along the line, we begin to question… to doubt… to try to rationalize and reason. And often, the things we once accepted so readily about God begin to seem uncertain… problematic… debatable. Let’s be honest… these doubts can cause us to feel unsettled – and to lose our peace. If this has happened to you, I encourage you to open your Bible – and your heart. With childlike wonder and innocence, allow God to fill you with His wisdom – and his peace.
Recognize that the devil is whispering in your ear… “How can this be? How can God possibly love you like He says…with such abandon and abundance? How crazy do you have to be to believe that God sent His only Son to die on the cross and freely pay the price once and for all for your sins? There has to be a catch! God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness must surely have some sort of price!” Choose to refute these thoughts… to pour God’ promises of hope, joy and salvation into your spirit and to operate in pure, unadulterated faith that He is the Real Deal and will do exactly what He has pledged.
Trust that the Bible is God’s Holy Word… one of His methods to reach your heart and fill you with His perfect will for your life. This is one instance where it’s okay to become a kid again… to allow yourself the freedom to open your heart, mind, and imagination to the possibilities God offers you… and the peace He wishes to give you. Let God teach you once more. After all, in His eyes, we are still His little children. Maybe it’s time we acted like it! Try looking at God through the eyes of a child… your own, or how you imagine a child would see Him. See if you don’t discover a renewed energy and enthusiasm for God… and an amazing sense of peace, as well.
©2013 Debbie Robus
I will teach all your children,
and they will enjoy great peace.
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.
I have been amazed at how readily – and easily – Timothy accepts and embraces the lessons he is learning in Sunday school. My friend Alyce and I decorated the “craft room” this morning for our church's Vacation Bible School next week. I thought about all of the children who will pass through this area, creating beaded clay bowls, a lyre, a memory box and more to remind them of the Apostle Paul’s journey to Athens. I can almost hear the stories from Timothy now!
Do you remember your Sunday school days – or maybe Vacation Bible School? Do you remember how and when you first came to know about God… that He existed and that He loved you? Do you remember when you first began to question it all? As I studied commentaries on this scripture passage, I gained insight into how the Holy Spirit fills us as children… how God dwells in our hearts and teaches us. In our childlike wonder and purity, we accept His message as He “loads” us like little hard drives with His desires for our life. He also utilizes our surroundings, adults, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and other tools to reinforce our knowledge and wisdom of His love and devotion.
Somewhere along the line, we begin to question… to doubt… to try to rationalize and reason. And often, the things we once accepted so readily about God begin to seem uncertain… problematic… debatable. Let’s be honest… these doubts can cause us to feel unsettled – and to lose our peace. If this has happened to you, I encourage you to open your Bible – and your heart. With childlike wonder and innocence, allow God to fill you with His wisdom – and his peace.
Recognize that the devil is whispering in your ear… “How can this be? How can God possibly love you like He says…with such abandon and abundance? How crazy do you have to be to believe that God sent His only Son to die on the cross and freely pay the price once and for all for your sins? There has to be a catch! God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness must surely have some sort of price!” Choose to refute these thoughts… to pour God’ promises of hope, joy and salvation into your spirit and to operate in pure, unadulterated faith that He is the Real Deal and will do exactly what He has pledged.
Trust that the Bible is God’s Holy Word… one of His methods to reach your heart and fill you with His perfect will for your life. This is one instance where it’s okay to become a kid again… to allow yourself the freedom to open your heart, mind, and imagination to the possibilities God offers you… and the peace He wishes to give you. Let God teach you once more. After all, in His eyes, we are still His little children. Maybe it’s time we acted like it! Try looking at God through the eyes of a child… your own, or how you imagine a child would see Him. See if you don’t discover a renewed energy and enthusiasm for God… and an amazing sense of peace, as well.
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 27, 2011
Psalm 139:13-18
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do. Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In 1979, the teacher whose classroom was next-door to mine traveled to Oklahoma with her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. The day after Thanksgiving, a big truck careened through an intersection and plowed directly into her car. Only 34 years old, Vicki was killed instantly. Her 8-year-old son and her mother survived. Several years later on the day after Thanksgiving, the 15-year-old son of friends we have known since childhood was killed in a car accident, along with a young child traveling in the other vehicle. You probably could share similar experiences that have affected your own life at some point.
All of this is hard to understand. We can’t wrap our brains around how God could allow such shocking tragedy… such seemingly unnecessary catastrophe… especially in light of this passage of scripture. How could a God who knows us before we were formed in our mother’s womb… who knows everything about us… know that this will happen to us or someone we love, and allow it? Believe me, I’ve asked these same questions, particularly when people I knew personally were affected by such horrific events.
For me, the answer lies in the second part of this passage. “Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding.” I know that God has plans for each of us… plans we can’t begin to imagine – and may not ever fully understand this side of heaven. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is always with us. Wherever we wake up – whether safe and secure on this earth or in His arms in heaven – God allowed things to happen in the best way possible for us.
Last week, an Arkansas Razorback football player died suddenly, only one day after he had participated in a game in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. By all accounts, Garrett Uekman was a wonderful young man… a standout athlete in several sports, a bright student, and most importantly – a devout Christian who served his God well. The cause of death was apparently a genetic heart disorder that caused irregular heartbeats and a thickening of the heart muscle. We ask, “If God knew that Garrett had this condition, couldn’t He have fixed it?” What we fail to ask is, “What did God prevent in Garrett’s life that could have been far worse? Did He save him from suffering and anguish… a lengthy illness or sadness beyond description in his own life? What was God’s purpose for Garrett on this earth… had he fulfilled this already?”
We don’t know everything about God’s plans. We’re not supposed to. But we are supposed to trust Him to do exactly what is exactly right for us. We are supposed to believe that God would never leave us… and He would never deliberately harm us. I am believing today that God looked at each of us and said, “I’m going to make So-and-So this way… and I’m going to take care of him/her every step of the way. There will be bumps in the road, but nothing that I can’t handle. And I am going to ask Him to guide my steps… and to give me courage and confidence to handle whatever He allows to come my way. If you see me doing a less than stellar job of trusting Him in this, you have my permission to remind me!
Someday, all of this will become crystal clear to us… if we still even care to question it. When we stand before God and bask in the light of His glory in Heaven, we will understand fully how amazing He is… how beautifully He formed each of us… and how perfectly He orchestrated every moment of our lives. And we will know for certain that He was always nearby… even into Eternity. For that, let’s give Him praise even in seasons of sadness. Let’s look toward a day when He will restore our joy. Let’s bolster our faith by trusting God to handle even the worst situations for us – and step forward with confidence that He is always nearby.
©2011 Debbie Robus
You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do. Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In 1979, the teacher whose classroom was next-door to mine traveled to Oklahoma with her family for the Thanksgiving holiday. The day after Thanksgiving, a big truck careened through an intersection and plowed directly into her car. Only 34 years old, Vicki was killed instantly. Her 8-year-old son and her mother survived. Several years later on the day after Thanksgiving, the 15-year-old son of friends we have known since childhood was killed in a car accident, along with a young child traveling in the other vehicle. You probably could share similar experiences that have affected your own life at some point.
All of this is hard to understand. We can’t wrap our brains around how God could allow such shocking tragedy… such seemingly unnecessary catastrophe… especially in light of this passage of scripture. How could a God who knows us before we were formed in our mother’s womb… who knows everything about us… know that this will happen to us or someone we love, and allow it? Believe me, I’ve asked these same questions, particularly when people I knew personally were affected by such horrific events.
For me, the answer lies in the second part of this passage. “Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding.” I know that God has plans for each of us… plans we can’t begin to imagine – and may not ever fully understand this side of heaven. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is always with us. Wherever we wake up – whether safe and secure on this earth or in His arms in heaven – God allowed things to happen in the best way possible for us.
Last week, an Arkansas Razorback football player died suddenly, only one day after he had participated in a game in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. By all accounts, Garrett Uekman was a wonderful young man… a standout athlete in several sports, a bright student, and most importantly – a devout Christian who served his God well. The cause of death was apparently a genetic heart disorder that caused irregular heartbeats and a thickening of the heart muscle. We ask, “If God knew that Garrett had this condition, couldn’t He have fixed it?” What we fail to ask is, “What did God prevent in Garrett’s life that could have been far worse? Did He save him from suffering and anguish… a lengthy illness or sadness beyond description in his own life? What was God’s purpose for Garrett on this earth… had he fulfilled this already?”
We don’t know everything about God’s plans. We’re not supposed to. But we are supposed to trust Him to do exactly what is exactly right for us. We are supposed to believe that God would never leave us… and He would never deliberately harm us. I am believing today that God looked at each of us and said, “I’m going to make So-and-So this way… and I’m going to take care of him/her every step of the way. There will be bumps in the road, but nothing that I can’t handle. And I am going to ask Him to guide my steps… and to give me courage and confidence to handle whatever He allows to come my way. If you see me doing a less than stellar job of trusting Him in this, you have my permission to remind me!
Someday, all of this will become crystal clear to us… if we still even care to question it. When we stand before God and bask in the light of His glory in Heaven, we will understand fully how amazing He is… how beautifully He formed each of us… and how perfectly He orchestrated every moment of our lives. And we will know for certain that He was always nearby… even into Eternity. For that, let’s give Him praise even in seasons of sadness. Let’s look toward a day when He will restore our joy. Let’s bolster our faith by trusting God to handle even the worst situations for us – and step forward with confidence that He is always nearby.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 25, 2011
Psalm 62:8
Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each one of your concerns. God is our place of safety.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever told someone something in confidence, and practically before you could turn around, that person told another? Maybe it wasn’t even something all that big or private… but you had trusted this person to be your “personal sounding board,” and he/she had blabbed to someone else. Sometimes you may feel like there is no one on this earth whom you can trust. I don’t think this is quite right, but there are probably fewer trustworthy people in your “circle” than you think. And it only takes getting “burned” once to feel disheartened.
Additionally, many do not realize that things posted on social networks (even in private) and sent via e-mail are subject to being broadcast for the world to see. I have received countless forwarded e-mail messages that were sent to someone else who felt it was his/her obligation and/or privilege to share that information with me. And maybe this was done in total innocence – commenting on top of a message from someone else and not realizing their words were included. But we need to be careful about our sharing of information that was not intended for others. The Internet is wonderful… but often it is anything but secure or private.
Having said this… there IS a totally secure Source! We can share our innermost thoughts and feelings – our deepest, darkest secrets, hurts, fears, ideas, and more… with Almighty God. He will never blab. He will never share our information via e-mail or post it on some website or social network. He will never judge us or condemn us… even when we question His work and will.
For years, I thought it was absolutely sinful to question God … about ANYTHING. Then I read in Exodus 32:12-14 where Moses did just that… he asked God (paraphrased), “Are you sure you want to do this to your people?” And God changed his mind!
I’m not saying that God will change His mind when we question Him… or that He will like everything we say to Him. But He IS our rock and our salvation… our hope and our refuge… and we can trust Him at all times. Who are you sharing your heart with these days? God really wants to be the major portion of your “inner circle.” Have you included Him in yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each one of your concerns. God is our place of safety.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever told someone something in confidence, and practically before you could turn around, that person told another? Maybe it wasn’t even something all that big or private… but you had trusted this person to be your “personal sounding board,” and he/she had blabbed to someone else. Sometimes you may feel like there is no one on this earth whom you can trust. I don’t think this is quite right, but there are probably fewer trustworthy people in your “circle” than you think. And it only takes getting “burned” once to feel disheartened.
Additionally, many do not realize that things posted on social networks (even in private) and sent via e-mail are subject to being broadcast for the world to see. I have received countless forwarded e-mail messages that were sent to someone else who felt it was his/her obligation and/or privilege to share that information with me. And maybe this was done in total innocence – commenting on top of a message from someone else and not realizing their words were included. But we need to be careful about our sharing of information that was not intended for others. The Internet is wonderful… but often it is anything but secure or private.
Having said this… there IS a totally secure Source! We can share our innermost thoughts and feelings – our deepest, darkest secrets, hurts, fears, ideas, and more… with Almighty God. He will never blab. He will never share our information via e-mail or post it on some website or social network. He will never judge us or condemn us… even when we question His work and will.
For years, I thought it was absolutely sinful to question God … about ANYTHING. Then I read in Exodus 32:12-14 where Moses did just that… he asked God (paraphrased), “Are you sure you want to do this to your people?” And God changed his mind!
I’m not saying that God will change His mind when we question Him… or that He will like everything we say to Him. But He IS our rock and our salvation… our hope and our refuge… and we can trust Him at all times. Who are you sharing your heart with these days? God really wants to be the major portion of your “inner circle.” Have you included Him in yours?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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