"Why, God, Why?" March 25 Readings: Psalm 65-67, 69-70

Today's Reading - Psalm 65-67, 69-70

Background

The Psalms are "worldly" - in the best sense. They are the effort of the Psalmist (David or whoever else) to put the events of this world into a divine perspective. The writer looks at his life's events and asks what God is doing.

Devotional - Why, God, Why?

Why did God let that happen?

It is one of the most frustrating questions people ask because it is one for which I seldom have an answer. I don't understand the glory of God nor do I have a playbook describing the purposes behind everything he does. I do have a Bible, though, and it reveals many reasons that God allows us to go through hard times. Sometimes, it is to discipline us, sometimes to give us spiritual exercise by which to grow, often it is for reasons that are mysterious.

But Psalm 66:10-12 shows us another. That psalm reveals God's marvelous work to deliver his people, though we do not know the specifics of the issue they faced. But the Psalmist understood why God was letting them walk through "fire and water."

For you, God, tested us;

you refined us as silver is refined.

You lured us into a trap;

you placed burdens on our backs.

You let men ride over our heads;

we went through fire and water,

but you brought us out to abundance.

God had a purpose for the suffering - it was to test them and to refine them. God often allows hard things to come into our lives to simply demonstrate the status of our faith in him. Job suffered greatly so that God could demonstrate that his faith was genuine. Abraham demonstrated the sincerity of his faith by putting his love for God ahead of his deep love for his only son.

But God was also using suffering to refine them like silver. When silver is melted the impurities come to the surface and can be removed so that the silver can be made pure. To purify our lives God will sometimes allow the heat to build up all around us. Our impurities can then be dealt with so that we might truly be pure in heart.

The Psalmist accepts that it was God who put them in the fire - he "lured" them, placed burdens on their backs and allowed others to "ride over their heads." But he knew the end result would be the abundant blessing of God. God would lead them through deep waters to set their feet on solid rock. God would allow pain to produce blessing at the end.

We seldom have the answer to the question "Why?" We are called to trust the God who knows what is best for us and who uses everything, even our suffering, for his glory and for our good.

Father, help me to trust that your goodness will be revealed in the end and that even that which is bad in my eyes can (and will) result in your glory!

Think and Pray

Think of the hardships and trials you have been experiencing in recent days. Perhaps you have been upset and angry about it.
Considering biblical teachings, what reasons might God have for allowing these circumstances?
What might he be doing in your life?