The twilight I longed for has become a horror to me. (Isa. 21:4)
On January 2, 2006, a torrential rain soaked the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for the first time in its 124-year history. The year before, announcer Bob Eubanks mentioned that the parade had a deal with God: I won’t rain on your parade, if you won’t hold it on Sundays. So when January 1 landed on a Sunday, the parade was postponed until Monday. The torrent came that day. Many of the parade’s attendees believed that God had breeched their imaginary contract. Why won’t God live up to our made-up bargains?
News of the approach of the enemy had reached Jerusalem. The whole city was in a panic and overwhelmed by the thought of being taken captive or worse. It didn’t make sense that God’s people, the Jews, would be subject to something so horrifying. Even Isaiah seems appalled. Why would God use the unrighteous to judge and correct the righteous?
Bad things can and will happen even to the righteous. The key for us is to practice contentment in the ordinary challenges of everyday life. Jesus is Lord over our circumstances and often permits us to be challenged in surprising ways. Recognize his hand in your daily doings and be conscious of your trust in him. Let his love prevail—and don’t forget your umbrella.
Expect the peace of God every day and apply it to everything.
Frank Robinson is a retired Wesleyan pastor with thirty-five years of service in the Pacific Southwest District. He lives in Cornville, Arizona with his wife, Thelma.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
