DEVOTION

Putting faith to the test

By Joe Barnett

THINGS HAPPEN that hurt terribly.

·         A youngster breaks a leg, eliminating him from participation in a sports activity in which he was excelling;

·         A tragic accident turns life into a nightmare;

·         A “perfect” marriage is shattered by the sudden death of a partner;

·         A promising career is fractured by a merger which puts a brilliant man out of work.

Such things put faith – even strong faith – to the test. 

The Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23). How? We cannot presume to know how God works in every case. But for starters:

            1.  The good man seeks God’s will in all he does. He does not make decisions without considering God’s will. He consults God’s Word, and prays for direction. Then if problems come, he reasons that God may be directing in a way beyond human understanding.

            2.  He looks for good even in the painful experiences. There will be times when even the good man fails to properly consider God’s will. Times when he will fail to consult the Word, and pray. Times when he will act impulsively, foolishly.

And even when he has fervently sought to do right there will be times when things go sour and tragedy strikes.

What does he do then? He places his trust in God – convinced that, though he does not understand how, God will bring good out of it.

Maybe there are times when God causes seeming tragedy in order to send us down a different road. More often, however, those painful experiences cannot be assigned to the Lord. He does not cause them – but He can use them. Even the terribly tragic experiences He can turn to our advantage. – KneEmail.

Joe Barnett contributes to KneEmail, a Christian resource organisation.

QUOTE:

TRUSTING GOD

“ … There will be times when things go sour and tragedy strikes a man ... What does he do then? He places his trust in God – convinced that, though he does not understand how, God will bring good out of it.”