“A man’s own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the LORD.” – Proverbs 19:2 (CSB)
The Bible teaches us that everything truly bad or evil in this world is here as a result of sin. And often times the bad and evil in our own lives is there as a direct result of our personal sin. And yet, when things are bad, we often blame God. It is our foolishness that leads us astray, but we try to place the blame on God. This should not be.
The Bible also teaches us in 1 John 4:8, and 4:16 that God is love. This is a gigantic statement that encompasses many things. But part of what this means is that everything God does is done out of pure, perfect, untainted love for us. This is how incredibly far God is removed from performing evil in our lives; God is love means that everything He does in us and for us is the opposite of evil.
However, the powerful love of God does not end there! Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” You see, God’s love is so amazing, that not only is it never the cause of our troubles, but it can overcome the results of our foolish sinfulness. As J.I. Packer states, “Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God’s dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can rejoice always, even when, humanly speaking, things are going wrong.”
Heavenly Father, please give us the wisdom and the insight to rejoice and praise You, instead of criticizing or blaming You, in the difficult times of our lives.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon