Thought for Thursday, July 19th

July 19, 2012

Hurts So Good

The idea that something bad can be good seems somewhat oxymoronic, don’t you think?

How can something that doesn’t make us feel good about ourselves, or bring us pleasure or a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction be anything but bad?

The answer to that question would most probably vary dependent upon the prospective from which it were being viewed.

However, from a spiritual point of view: it would seem reasonable to believe that some things that we would perceive as less than enjoyable or good, could actually be for our betterment.  Remember scripture teaches us that faith comes through persecution:  it is by the trials and testing that we face that our faith increases and our relationship with God grows deeper.  The same is true for our capacity to have patience.  And most certainly when it becomes necessary for us to face the correction and instruction of God, due to the result of our disobedience – this process can often be less than enjoyable; though most certainly needful and if we are responsive, unquestionably beneficial and even profitable.

“Every year, if not every day, we have to wager our salvation upon some prophecy based upon imperfect knowledge.”

-       Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:6-12

Often we wonder why bad things seem to happen to good people and why those who truly seem to be seeking to serve God face so many challenges and difficulties.  Often it is because if you are doing a good thing; the enemy of our soul will fight against your efforts to attempt to derail, discourage  or dissuade you from your purpose and direction: while at other times it is just a means and a way for God to grow our relationship with Him: in effect to enable us to draw closer by the very nature that in our trials, we are more inclined to realize how much we need His presence and help in our lives.

We too, must remember that it does rain on the just and the unjust and often what seems bad to us can in the long run bring about the betterment of our lives and in the end more successfully accomplish the work and the will of God.

His ways are not ours and that is why faith is so essential to our walk with Him and our effectiveness in living in the fullness of His joy and peace so that we more effectively serve and honor Him.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are the most glorious and wonderful, loving and caring father and while I know your desires and will for me are nothing but the best; help me to realize sometimes I must walk through the valleys to get to the mountains and help me to embrace the challenges and look for the good in them rather than being more inclined to grumble and complain.

“When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus “

-  Lyrics from ‘Heart of Worship’ by Matt Redman