Bible Reading: Psalm 115
“Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?” – Psalm 115:2 (KJV)
I run a financial institution with a few subsidiaries and I see that the Managing Directors of the various subsidiaries often clamor to take decisions that they consider to be the best in the interest of their various institutions which I sometimes decline. I had in a number of occasions explained how the decision affecting one institution will affect the others and show the overall impact on the group for the various Managing Directors to understand why their decisions are sub-optimal.
This is a very microscopic view of what happens in our lives as we see the issues as they affect our lives that we know of, but not the future or even current events outside our purview. Hence we should not query God why he decides in a different way from our expectations. This explains why God sometimes does not make sense to us.
Some years ago, a pastor told me how he had to preach about the goodness of God after his wife gave birth to a baby and the baby died. At that point, it did not make sense to anyone why an innocent baby born to a godly parent had to die within days of birth while the father kept talking about the goodness of God. However the realization that God is good and he has good plans for us his children kept him going. Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” This is what faith entails. Sometimes the events may shake our faith while God waits for our response. In most cases, overcoming such circumstances leads to promotion. This was the case of Job whose fortunes were turned around better than he was before the trial (Job 42:10-12). Similarly, God lifted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego after they passed the test of faith given them by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3:12-30).
Whatever you are going through, and having examined yourself that you remained in the Lord, keep your faith in him knowing that whatever the circumstance, he has promised never to forsake nor cast you off. Even when your adversaries make jest of your faith as in Psalm 115:2 (KJV), “Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?” Remember that God answered Job by turning around his captivity and he has not changed, he will certainly answer you.
Prayer point: Father, show yourself mighty in my circumstance and let my adversaries know that you are a living God.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero