WHY???..........WHY??????

Being the father of several grown children (in body only sometimes :) I still remember those growing up years. Some I remember and immediately curl up into a fetal position while others I just chuckle in amusement.

If you have children perhaps you will be blessed with one of those "special" ones who questions everything. We had one! He questioned everything! I mean everything!!!! He would even question the question he had just asked if I repeated it back to him. Just because it was coming from my wife or I.

I am old enough now to understand that questioning is a good thing, most times. IN regards to growing up it definitely is. I personally believe we often ask questions because we are trying to find stability. We are trying to uncover the basic meanings so we can find our footing in life. Not everyone will see this and that is ok, I just simplify things a bit!

I believe people often ask the WHY question to God also. Why am I here? Why did this happen to me? Why are things the way they are in my life?? I could go on and on. Today's treasure from HIS word is found in Romans 9. I would encourage you to read it all. It will help you understand the context of Pauls writing.

He was showing the distinction between the Jew and the Gentile and God's work in each of them. As he explained God's dealings with them he ultimately came to the conclusion (and a good one I might add) that God will do as HE pleases. The Jews were blinded by the fact that God was not working according to their plan and they had actually missed their own Messiah. When I think of this I am amazed, how about you? Their preconceived ideas regarding how God would come and work was actually hindering them from seeing HIM and participating in HIS work.

The verse that lit my fire this morning was found in verse 17....

For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth."

This quotation was from Exodus chapter 9 and was God speaking to Pharaoh.....the Head of Egypt, the lead dog on the wagon, the big Gahuna, you getting the picture?? He had been allowed to be where he was because God was working out HIS plan. For Egypt as well as for Israel.

As I reflected on this today, is this not true of all of us??? Especially the believer in Jesus Christ! Has not God raised us up for the very same purpose????

1) To show HIS power in (and thru) us!!! Should not our lives be a living demonstration of HIS power. Now let me remind you that in order for that to happen HE must get us to a place where we cannot handle it in the energy of our flesh. We must be unable to handle it ourselves. Then and only then will HIS power be fully demonstrated.

2) Next is the purpose explained......For HIS name be declared to all the earth. We do not exist to eat, drink and be happy but we exist to give GOD glory. This is the fullness of life itself. To allow our great Creator and Redeemer to not only save us but to also be glorified through our very existence. HE wants others to hear about HIM through those who have experienced HIS power!!! AKA.....US!!!

So now back to our original discussion>>>>>>WHY?

One of two reasons.....For HIS power to be demonstrated in and through your life and circumstances. And for HIS name to be proclaimed throughout your whole land.

Is this true in you? Have you come to the place where you simply say, not my will but thine be done? Where you understand that HE never does anything less than the very best, especially when we do not understand! Join with HIM and you can sing!

I will close with a phone call I received this week. It was a christian who had been told that a layoff was coming and that some would lose their jobs that day. They called me for prayer and counsel. During my discussion with them, I reminded them that God was their provider not their employer. God only used the employer to supply for them and if HE chose a different path for their provision then we should trust HIM in that. Ultimately we can sing in struggles because we understand the greater work that is going on. Our God is God. Nothing escapes HIM nor catches HIM by surprise.

The sooner we learn that HE is the ANSWER to the why question, the sooner we can learn to sing HIS song!

Are you warming up the instruments yet???

Blessings
Bruce