Blessed is the man...
I'm always taken back when I hear people complaining about how horrible things are for them, and they make it seem like God is not for them. They talk about their problems, and portray themselves as victims. They go on and on about how bad things are. And they seem surprised by it. Like God is supposed to be always loving... Is He?
It troubles me that people want the goodness and favor of God in their lives, even though they don't want to be a follower of His. Oh, they forget to mention that one little side note... they're not believers. Let me rephrase that, they believe... they just don't want to live for Christ. They believe there is a God, and they like the idea that He is a loving God. They see God like Aladdin saw the blue Genie. Someone who will grant them at least three heartfelt wishes. Surely God wouldn't turn them away if they are truly in need. Would He?
Let me elaborate before I'm misunderstood. Indeed, God is all loving and merciful. Indeed, He will answer to a repentant cry for help. God is faithful, and His greatest gift to mankind was giving up His son to die for us. What more can we ask for? Well, let's see... we ask for good health and good friends and good neighborhoods. We ask for a lot of things. They're not bad in it of themselves, and God is more than gracious to give us even more than what we ask for.
But where do we come off acting like God has to meet our every need even when we turn our backs to Him on a daily basis? The word of God is clear. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord." - Jeremiah 17:5. "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him."-Jeremiah 17:7
If you are a believer, a follower of Christ, someone who's repented of his/her sins once and for all and God is your shepherd, then praise Him because He promises to be faithful to you always. And indeed, you should expect His blessings, even in the hardships of life. That's the beauty of knowing Christ... that He will use even the ugly in life to benefit you and others somehow. You can trust that.
But if you are not a believer. If you live every day looking out for your own good and disregarding what God's will may be for your life, stop complaining about what isn't going right for you. Your life is meant to be cursed. In fact, all of us are meant to be cursed, and it is only because of the sacrifice that Jesus paid for us, that we can claim freedom from that curse.
In reality, life is hard no matter who you are. We all face hardships on this side of heaven. But what an awesome thing it is to trust a living God even in our storms because He is faithful! And what a sad thing for those who face life's hardships all alone and without any hope because they reject God.
If that is you tonight. If you are tired of feeling "cursed", stop trying to handle your situations on your own. Don't demand something of God that you are not entitled to. Instead, come to Him in complete humility and ask Him to help you see things His way. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
It troubles me that people want the goodness and favor of God in their lives, even though they don't want to be a follower of His. Oh, they forget to mention that one little side note... they're not believers. Let me rephrase that, they believe... they just don't want to live for Christ. They believe there is a God, and they like the idea that He is a loving God. They see God like Aladdin saw the blue Genie. Someone who will grant them at least three heartfelt wishes. Surely God wouldn't turn them away if they are truly in need. Would He?
Let me elaborate before I'm misunderstood. Indeed, God is all loving and merciful. Indeed, He will answer to a repentant cry for help. God is faithful, and His greatest gift to mankind was giving up His son to die for us. What more can we ask for? Well, let's see... we ask for good health and good friends and good neighborhoods. We ask for a lot of things. They're not bad in it of themselves, and God is more than gracious to give us even more than what we ask for.
But where do we come off acting like God has to meet our every need even when we turn our backs to Him on a daily basis? The word of God is clear. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord." - Jeremiah 17:5. "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him."-Jeremiah 17:7
If you are a believer, a follower of Christ, someone who's repented of his/her sins once and for all and God is your shepherd, then praise Him because He promises to be faithful to you always. And indeed, you should expect His blessings, even in the hardships of life. That's the beauty of knowing Christ... that He will use even the ugly in life to benefit you and others somehow. You can trust that.
But if you are not a believer. If you live every day looking out for your own good and disregarding what God's will may be for your life, stop complaining about what isn't going right for you. Your life is meant to be cursed. In fact, all of us are meant to be cursed, and it is only because of the sacrifice that Jesus paid for us, that we can claim freedom from that curse.
In reality, life is hard no matter who you are. We all face hardships on this side of heaven. But what an awesome thing it is to trust a living God even in our storms because He is faithful! And what a sad thing for those who face life's hardships all alone and without any hope because they reject God.
If that is you tonight. If you are tired of feeling "cursed", stop trying to handle your situations on your own. Don't demand something of God that you are not entitled to. Instead, come to Him in complete humility and ask Him to help you see things His way. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
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