This is the fifth and final installment of the Tackling “The Why” article series. The other installments can be found here: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV. The purpose of this article series is to help us deal with tough circumstances in life through relating to biblical figures and situations, thereby helping us grow in our faith in GOD.
Recap
Job, The Man Born Blind, and Hannah all went through some really difficult situations. From what we see, they were not told the reason “why” they went through those difficult situations. However, in every situation, GOD was glorified. It is my hope that you can see that all of these people went through difficult situations, but the difficult situation did not mean that they were far from GOD. The scriptures blatantly speak that GOD was pleased with Job. JESUS healed the man born blind without the man even asking to be healed. GOD heard the prayer of Hannah. GOD was not far from any one of them, even though they went through great difficulty. GOD is not far from you either! No matter your situation.
Grappling with “The Why”
The scriptures say this:
Matthew 5:44-45
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
The aforementioned scripture speaks to the why. Sometimes we just will not know, but we trust GOD.
Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
There are things that we will never know. But there are some things that we do know. We can only go by the things that we know. This is something we must know and trust.
Romans 9:14
“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!”
Sometimes we have to filter life through the rhetorical question mentioned above. Is there unrighteousness with GOD? The question is answered in the scriptures, but it is up to us to believe it.
Trials
Here are a few scriptures on trials. I will not expound on these, as it is my hope that through meditating on them, GOD will guide you concerning this subject.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Conclusion
Lastly, I encourage you to read about some other people in the scriptures.
Sarah: Genesis 16:1 – 18:15; 21:1-7
Rachel: Genesis 29:31 – 30:1-24
I hope this study encourages you to continue to seek the LORD as it is our purpose: Acts 17:24-28a “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being.”
I hope these articles have been beneficial for you. If so, please do not hesitate to share them with someone else.
Grace and Peace.
