Week 4 - Day 2

Reaping and Sowing

Dr. McGee said that we are a questioning people, and our biggest question of God is always, “Why?” Why is there suffering in the world – Why must I suffer? Why does evil go unpunished? Why does it always seem like bad things happen to good people? Why?

Nancy Guthrie writes that instead of continuing to ask, “Why?” we should change our question to “For what purpose?” She also reminds us of the purpose of suffering… Jesus Himself, when questioned about why a man was born blind, said, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned… but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” (John 9:3) This is true in our lives, too – God’s whole purpose is to make us more like Him, so His work and glory will be displayed in our lives!

I don’t think God minds our search for understanding. Even Job asked God, “Why?” As we grow in understanding of God’s ways, we also grow in trust and obedience. The question is, in what spirit are you asking? Is it in a spirit of submission to God? Do you have, as Job did, full confidence that there is indeed purpose in the pain and that God is using it for good in your life? Are you content to wait for God to reveal the answer in His time? Are you displaying His glory as you wait?

This week as we explore the principles of sowing and reaping, remember that God can and will use everything in our lives (even our own lousy choices) to draw us closer to Him when our hearts are set on Him. He says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) Job did just that as he fell on his face in worship before God.

Don’t be afraid to ask God your questions – but remember what we’ve learned from Job – “instead of demanding an answer, decide to trust Him, recognizing that your circumstances provide an unparalleled opportunity to glorify God just by your trust in His unseen purpose.

“Trusting God when the miracle does not come, when the urgent prayer gets no answer, when there is only darkness – this is the kind of faith God values perhaps most of all. This is the kind of faith that can be developed and displayed only in the midst of difficult circumstances. This is the kind of faith that cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.” (from Holding On To Hope, pg. 54)

Job knew this – even in his questioning, he held onto his Living Hope saying, “I know that my Redeemer lives… I am overwhelmed at the thought!” (Job 19:25-27)