Is Our God Trustworthy?

August 24, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord." Isaiah 55:8 

 

 

     On Sept. 11, 2001, as navy wife Deshua Joyce heard the news that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon where her husband worked, she tried to think only positive thoughts. “What were the chances that his office was hit?” she wondered. Her heart grew heavy with concern not just for her husband, Tom, but for all the other people at the Pentagon that day.

 

     The plane did in fact, crash through the building directly under her husband’s floor, completely destroying his office. However, Tom was able to miraculously escape unscathed and to notify Deshua of his safety. Deshua's gratitude for Tom's escape was tempered with grief for those who did not. "I remember thinking at the end of the day, 'People's lives are changed forever,'" she says. "I was devastated for the loved ones of those who never made it out."

 

     When Tom was able to reunite with his family after the attack, he read Psalm 91 with them. His oldest son asked, "Dad, what are you going to do with the rest of your life that God spared today?" That must to have really gotten Tom to thinking. Two years later, Tom retired from the military, and became a pastor. He is now pastor of marriage and discipleship at Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA.

 

     While many lives that could have been lost on that fateful and historic day were preserved, we know the rest of the story. I’m sure all of us recall the news broadcasts and the newspaper headlines on that day. Many of us still remember where we were at and what we were doing when we first heard of the devastation. No one could turn on a television and see any other broadcast. Each September 11^th is a day when all of America holds their breath. Ground Zero is a place every child in America knows of. We have all saw the photos pinned up by friends and family on every street corner, pole and door throughout New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. 2,973 souls went into eternity - ready or not - on that day.

 

     God knew the fate of September 11, 2001 long before anyone else. So, tell me – Is our God trustworthy? On that day, and every day that has followed, how does God choose which lives to safeguard and which to call into the next life? I don't claim to know the answer - do you? The larger question I think is: Can we trust God to be in control of every moment, every situation, in everyone’s lives and in every part of the globe – and all at the same time?

 

     If we say, “yes”, we must then admit that He presides over all tragedy. If we say, “no”, that we cannot trust Him in all things - then we cannot trust Him at all. If He is not all-powerful, then He is simply not God.

 

     God’s knowledge and wisdom are far, far greater than man’s. We are stupid to try to fit God into our mold – to make His plans and purposes conform to ours. Instead, we must make every effort to fit into His plans. He wants the best for us and always knows what’s best for us. Even when we can’t see the big picture from where we stand – it’s always in God’s sight.

 

     Did you know that God refers to Himself as "Sovereign Lord" 303 times in the Bible? So exactly what does that word mean? Sovereign means: “To have supreme authority or power” – and God does! It also means, “Ruler – Superior – Absolute” – and God is -  all three – and more! Since God does not and cannot lie, therefore, when we fail to figure out God's plan for our lives or for those around us – may we choose then to find rest in His sovereignty instead?

 

Heavenly Father,

 

     Our trust in You can seem illusive at times. We want to believe You hold the cares of our world in Your hands, but wonder why You allow bad things to happen to Your people? Prepare our hearts and minds to accept You are always in control – no matter what and that You see and know all things long before they happen and if it is not Your will Lord– that You have the power to change them. Temper our intelligence and faith so we are never prevented from completely trusting You in everything good – and bad. Even though we don’t see the big picture – You do!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14