If I asked you to describe God, what would you say? Is He loving? Is He caring? Does He show His love for you?
The thoughts I consistently have about God are interpreting the things I read in the Bible and comparing to the world we live in today. That is when things get difficult, and complicated.
It is fair to say that trying to compare or analyze the Bible and the application to our lives today can be a challenge. As a student of the Bible, I get “stuck” many times trying to understand the meaning of various passages and parables. What does this mean and how can I apply this? Scripture is not always easy to understand, but what I have come to realize, is that a lack of understanding does not mean it does not apply to my life. I just need to be patient and seek to understand.
What I have learned is that God is very patient with us and has communicated what our life will be like with Him and without Him. He demonstrates throughout scripture His love for us, and ultimately His desire for us to follow Him. God’s demonstrations of love can be clearly articulated by digging into scripture and reading His Word.
2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (NKJV)
God’s relationship with man changed when He sent His Son, Jesus, to live on earth as a human. God sent his Son to model a sinless life, preach God’s word directly to His people, and bring us to love Jesus and be saved. In Mathew 5:1-8, Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” is chronicled to provide us eight ways to live our life. Jesus says, “Blessed are…”
- Those that are poor in spirit
- Those who mourn
- Those who are meek
- Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
- Those that show mercy
- Those that are pure in heart
- Those that are peacemakers
- Those that are persecuted for righteousness sake
Jesus was direct throughout his time on earth speaking of pain, tribulations, and the challenges of this world. The most profound experiences, trials, tribulations, and unfortunately suffering, can be the moments in which we build the most character. Suffering and angst are horrible at the time but can have the most lasting impact on us and can strengthen our resolve and ability to overcome adversity. Scripture speaks frequently of adversity and provides us the roadmap to contentment and happiness.
Do you have a relationship with God? Do you trust that He loves you?
Perhaps you struggle wondering how there is a God if He would “allow” tragedy, sadness, and hate in our world. If you are looking for answers, my response is to dig into your Bible and seek to find what God says. God never promised life would be easy. God has never committed that we would be happy and fulfilled all the time. In fact, Jesus spoke openly how we should not commit ourselves to love this world, but focus on following Him to pursue a righteous path to Heaven. God’s desire is for us to repent and follow Him, but the choice is ours.
My challenge to you is to not reject God because of the bad in the world or the unhappiness in your life. Run towards Him, not away from Him. You will find the answers you are looking for, but not always in the timeframe you may want them. God is patient with us and wants us to love Him because we want to love Him not because we have to. When we TRULY place our trust in the hands of the Lord, the Bible says in one my favorite verses, Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Lord Jesus, calm our hearts and minds. Help us to see You at work and seek to understand how to apply your Word each day. We know you love us Lord, and we trust You. We seek not acceptance in this world but yearn to be with you in Heaven. Lord Jesus, please be with us on our earthly journey and we ask to feel your presence guiding us and leading us along the way. Amen
