“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. (Is. 55:8)
The Israelites had sinned over and over, so why did God offer them a pardon and new life? Why do some bad people prosper? Why do bad things happen to good people? These questions surface the more we experience senseless situations happening to good and bad people alike.
A few teacher’s aides came to me to discuss some issues they had with a specific teacher, who was also a preacher. They didn’t understand how he could talk off-color yet call himself a preacher. As I prayed about it, God gave me a verse to share. Psalm 37:1–2 says, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.” The answer was not to pray that the person would get in trouble or be struck by God, but rather to focus their eyes on God. Even though they did not understand why God hadn’t done something already, they could be assured—from God’s Word—that he saw what was happening and consequences were in his hands.
We must have proper thinking about who God is, then we may begin to understand why he does what he does. Because he is holy in all his ways—even the ways we don’t understand.
Model your thinking about the Lord from his Word.
Yolanda Moore is a retired school teacher, Bible teacher and former state coordinator for the Christian Motorcyclists Association. For over eighteen years, Yolanda held local and district positions within The Wesleyan Church. She is married and has two children.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
