Friday, January 19, 2018

Has God Messed Up?

When we look into the Bible, we see several instances where things happened and we wonder why God didn't 'fix' it. 

We look at our own lives sometimes with illnesses, finances, death, divorce and many other troubles we go through, and wonder why God hasn't 'fixed' it. It sometimes makes me wonder, "Has God messed up?" I know He hears and answers prayers. 

1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us."
  • When God put Jacob's hip out of joint and left him with a permanent, painful limp 
  • When Jesus caused a minor panic among the disciples by telling them to feed a hungry crowd . . .
  • When three times the Lord refused Paul's request for healing....



When reading in the bible, I have often wondered why things happened the way they did, I see no immediate benefit. 

For instance, there are things we have read where we are not sure 
exactly what happened or specific details of 'the rest of the story' as Paul Harvey would say.

Was it to keep Jacob in pain, so that as he walked he would praise God? I don't think that was why he had a limp.  

Was He trying to pull a trick or embarrass the disciples in front of the crowd? I do not think that was it at all.

Did he not hear Paul's request the first time, so he had to ask over and over? No, I am sure He heard Paul, loud and clear. 
However, we often have things happen in our lives and wonder, "What is going on here? Is God not seeing this? My world has just turned upside down!" 
First, let me assure you there is nothing that surprises God. He knows what is coming into our lives, He is aware of the troubles we are going through and He walks with us through them. 

Sometimes we come out humbled, like Jacob, and continue in life with scars (or limps) to remind  us of those troubled times. 

Maybe we see God perform a miracle in the middle of our panic, like He did with the disciples and the fish and bread, and we can praise and give Him glory immediately. 

He hears our repeated prayers and requests, but His timing for answers is not always our timing. 

Some answered prayers may not be completed until after we are gone from this earthly life. 
In any event in our life, God never messed up. He knows right where you are, hurting in pain, hungry for answers, or pleading with Him over and over.
Luke 12:28 "But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O  men of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be of anxious mind. 30 For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things shall be yours as well. 32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom it is not hid from you."
God 'fixed' us completely when He forgave us and we received Him as our Lord and Savior. We need not worry about anything else, period. 

We should focus on Him and serving Him. If we do that, start everyday focusing on Him, He will take care of any needs we have that really matter. We should allow His priorities to become our priorities. 
We may mess up our priorities, but thank goodness, our God never messes up!! 
Blessings,
gs