This one question was been asked by countless people worldwide for centuries, many have tried to explain or bring understanding and maybe even you have tried too. Be aware through this that you don’t lead people astray.
For there are mysteries in God our human mind simplycannot comprehend, if we allow reasoning to raise up and take over we will ourselves be led astray.
I have seen prayers change in this moment that are not of God and are outside of His will. In looking through the book of Job you will see this and even more. Let’s read Job and see what God says about trials we or others are in.
Job 1:1 (NKJV)
Job and His Family in Uz
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil”.
Job 1:5 (NKJV)
“So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus Job did regularly”.
Both of these verses are in the opening of Job, life was good for Job, but things were about to change in a dramatic way, over in the next chapter he loses everything, worldly possession, family, friends, health effectively he’s moments from death.
Then in verse Job 42:10 (NKJV)
“And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before”.
So what’s the point? God is painting a picture of perfect humanity on a canvas of time. We are a part of this amazing painting of His perfection. But as with any paintings being painted, there is often parts and places on the canvas that will look messy, until they are finished as it was with Job’s story. Places and spaces that only will be seen as prefect in looking back from heaven or eternity.
Yet the Lord has promised two things in the Word for us to understand and remember as we or those we know go through trials.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (TPT)
“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously”.
Both these promises hold one incredible truth’s which are : Our Lord is in control, continually shaping, grafting and pruning humanity including His children. To create a way through Him, His Son’s sacrifice towards His biggest Goal and Will “ That not one should perish (1 Peter 3:9). This is the masterpiece He is painting throughout humanity! We are a brush stroke, our pain we go through or trial we have gone through are parts of the painting He is painting.
So the Lord allows things to happen, but this does not mean we can have no input. In fact this is God’s will too, but only through direct relationship with you.
We will pick this up next time, in part 2, reading Genesis 18 where we see how we can partner with God and what our input is.
Challenge Time: (Grab your journal and space to be with the Lord and record all He says)
1. Lord would You reveal anywhere or places my reasoning or thoughts have taken me out of Your Will?
2. Lord would You remove my reasoning and give me Your truth, wisdom and Way for these places and situations?
3. Lord for each place and situation would you give me a picture to show that I am in Your will?
4. Thank You Lord, You are the One in control, all praise and worship goes to You and You alone.
5. Praise and Worship Time
Let’s Pray
Father help us to understand Your ways so we can reveal more of Your Son Jesus to a hurting world. May we be witness of Him, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit Revealing a victorious Christ to all mankind! We know trials with come, and know they will only make us stronger and more able to do Your work you have placed before us. For trials or tests are just a way for you to see if we are ready for a promotion, another level of anointing or to see more of Your Glory. In Jesus name. AMEN
