Making Sense of it All

I don't know about you, but I have found myself contemplating God and the things that happen in this world more often these days. I have been challenged and liberated while digging into God's word. He is so amazing and so faithful when we seek Him!

I have been struggling with a couple of issues that I will just lay out on the table. I welcome your comments and responses! We had some acquaintances who just lost a 2 year old to cancer. Their faith was securely in God. They both thought and even believed that God would heal their son this side of heaven. The healing would most certainly result in an amazing testimony to the doctors and nurses who walked this road with this family for several long months. Every day, it seemed like I would read the words of this mother that her son "was healed in Jesus name." Her hope was secure in a God who still heals today. Her son went to be with Jesus a few days ago. But God? These parents sensed a healing here on earth? The answer could not be found in a lack of faith, because all evidence pointed to a stronger faith than I could certainly muster given the same set of circumstances.

I read through Psalm 91 the last couple of days. I was perplexed as I read through it in light of this recent occurrence,

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease...His faithful promises are your armor and protection...Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you...If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home...The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name" (NLT).

Okay, was it just me, or did some of those statements perplex you too?? Did this little boy's parents live in the shelter of the Most High? You bet. Did they trust him? Yep. Did he rescue their son from deadly disease? Not exactly how they desired. Did evil conquer their son's body? Well, his earthly one, yes. Ugh. Tough stuff. I always seem to find myself asking tough questions when situations like this arise. Where were you God? Did I have hidden sin in my life? Did I not pray enough? Did they misinterpret your promises?

I began to pray that God would help me understand. I know that my puny little mind cannot understand the deep things of the Almighty, but I asked for a little clarity. As I thought and prayed I came to the following conclusion found at the end of Psalm 91, "The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me, I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them" (verse 14-15). He WILL rescue us. He will BE WITH US in trouble. I don't know how he will rescue but He says that He will. We may feel completely shaken but He will keep us from completely crumbling if we put every little bit of faith we can muster in Him. More importantly, He will be with us in trouble. I have been reading about Moses and His intimacy with God. He knew what it was to dwell WITH God. He experienced deep friendship with his creator. Oh to look at the face of the one who speaks His peace to our hearts during trouble.

I really feel like God spoke to my heart that nothing is impossible with Him. He could have healed our friend's son. He can. He is able. It wasn't that He did not heal. He accomplished His plans in the lives of our friends. There is no doubt that their son is running around in a place that far surpasses this world. He is being cared for by a Daddy whose strong arms are impenetrable. As for our friends, the only thing I can figure is that God needed them to trust Him. God wanted them to see His glory revealed, His light illuminate, His love overwhelm, His peace overshadow.

God is reliable. He is the forever God. His protection doesn't always mean that we won't be struck. I just think His protection means our most important part - our spirits, won't be destroyed by hardship when we trust in Him. There is a song by Natalie Grant called 'Held' that has ministered to my heart during these questions. She sings that even though we feel a sense of entitlement because we belong to God, being held means that when things are stripped from our lives we survive because of God. Oh God, help me to see things with eternal eyes. Help me to allow you to hold me. Only then will we survive. Help us to know you intimately, Lord. Draw near to us in our troubles. We will rise victorious in You as long as we cling to you instead of shaking a fist at You. Reveal your purposes in us, reach people through us. I love you precious Lord.