Ever question God’s management skills?
An expectation slips away unfulfilled. A loss knocks the wind from a family’s chest. It’s easy to begin wondering why God did not provide what I’d hoped for, or did not prevent tragedy.
Faith ebbs and weakens if I begin to list doubts under the heading “What God has NOT done for me.”
I can only imagine how often the Lord must hear his children cry, “Why NOT?”
But if I turn to Him with my questions, He is gracious to listen. Sometimes He answers me by reminding me what He HAS done, loosening the weak tangles of my arguments. I recognize His nature in the many awe-striking acts of His grace. Even in the hardest times, God’s loving presence and power remain consistent. Despite circumstances such as a missed promotion, failed business venture, or the death of a loved one. I can rest in Who He is.
1Chronicles16:8 encourages us to “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”
Many scriptures beg us to remember what God has done to bless us. The Lord shepherds (Psalm23), redeems (Isaiah54:5), and befriends us (John15). He has rescued us from sin(Galatians1:4), given us eternal life (John4:14), and filled us with His Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). In fact, Psalm 40:5 indicates we’d never be able to list all His good deeds. “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
As I studied Scripture this morning, another angle of faith-strengthening occurred to me. What about considering what God has NOT done? As I rest in Who God is, I can rest just as securely in who He is NOT.
Grief and fear tempt us to attribute human and Satanic evildoing to God. The Sovereign Lord does not steal, kill, or destroy (John 10:10). He has NOT made us a slave to fear (Romans 8:15). Our God is not like our false images of divinity (Jeremiah 10:15). No darkness or evil can be found in Him (1John 4:5).
Many of the Lord’s most reassuring attributes consist of what He will NOT do. Rather than a doubt list, I can carry these NOTs in my heart to increase my faith.
The Lord will NOT leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8).
He will NOT treat me as my sins deserve (Psalm 103:10).
Jesus will NOT remember my past wrongs (Isaiah43:25; Hebrews 8:12).
My God will NOT forget me (Isaiah 49:15).
He will NOT abandon me to die (Acts 2:27).
God will NOT stop loving me (Jeremiah 31:3).
No matter what questions my circumstances stir into my mind, I’m so thankful that the Lord provides strong NOTs to bind my heart close to Him in faith.
Questioning God’s management skills? I think it’s the question ultimately answered in the book of Job. God challenged Satan with Job because the devil didn’t want to believe someone could love and serve God if he lost everything. From a spiritual standpoint, it is the question of the ages: who will get undevided worship in the universe, God or Satan. Are we willing to chose Him if there’s nothing in it for us? Do we love Him for what He is rather then for what He does for us? That is the battle.
I liked your post especially the “NOTS”.