Is your God so awesome that He does things you cannot comprehend? It is easy to understand God as being big enough to do anything we may want Him to do. But is it just as easy to understand when He does remarkable things we cannot comprehend? It is hard to understand when He chooses to allow things to happen to us that bring pain or work against what we were hoping would happen.
James, Jesus’ brother’s words, are fascinating. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV). I first need to point out that the original Greek word translated face here is also translated fall or unexpectedly encounter trials/problems, not of your own making. They fell into them, which means God had allowed them because He protects His children. The second important word here is because. That gives us a clue as to why God allowed us to fall into it. The verse tells us it is to develop perseverance, a quality that separates the men from the boys. This happened to Job who also wrote, God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. Job 37:5 (ESV). God’s plan for the wealthy Job was about enduring the worst losses any human could experience with the right attitude. The reward for his perseverance was foremost an incredible knowledge of God, with the tangible reward of twice what he possessed when his trial started. There is no indication that God ever explained to Job the reasons for all his terrible sufferings.
Jacob wrestled all night with a stranger (Ge 32:30-31). Because of what happened to Jacob, it is thought the stranger was Christ in the fleshly form before He came to earth as a baby. Whoever he was, after the night of wrestling ended, this stranger touched Jacob’s thigh, and from that time onward, Jacob walked with a limp—but he also was given the name prince. It forever changed his life for the good. We normally do not think of a handicap of a limp as something great. On the other hand, here is a case when God inflicted pain as surely as He heals a body or raises the dead. Jacob never complained about his malady, nor did Job complain of all he endured. Both interpreted what they lived with was an invaluable gift of grace from God.
Is your God big enough to bring you awe-inspiring good through doing things you do not understand, even painful things?
God wants me to trust Him, even when I am incapable of understanding what or why He is allowing this strange event in my life. Too often I look upon God as the mender of broken hearts and the binder-up of our wounds. He does this, thank God. But He also breaks hearts and causes wounds. But He never bruises a person He does not also bless because of how the person responds to Him. The only time a person walks away sorrowfully is when that person chooses to walk away from what Christ offers because the person loves his current life more.
I must ask myself; do I limp because of my thigh? Christ is not ashamed, nor does He feel slighted for the scars He bore for me or you. The wounds of the Christian are God’s applause for a life well-lived. Can you look beyond what you do not comprehend and trust, an awe-inspiring God and His impeccable love for you?
The overwhelming grace and mercy of the Lord in my life continually leave in awe. It is so undeserved and truly only a gift beyond understanding and appreciating. With age I am beginning to try harder to really appreciate the Lord’s divine direction and thank him daily for it.
Such a good message! I’m learning this now…..and it will be a continued lesson daily. Thank you for using your God Give Gift. Your blog ministers to me.