“God, I am miserable. How could you let this happen? Life was good. Everything seemed perfect. How could you do this to us? It’s not fair! And I’ve been praying - where are you?”
Have you ever given God a tongue-lashing? Been there, done that! Even the psalmists railed out against God at times, as in Psalm 74:1, 3, 7-8, 9-11 (NIV).
1 O God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.
7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!”
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
8 They said in their hearts, “We will crush them completely!”
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.
9 We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
God is big enough to handle our anger, hurts, and disappointments, but is it deserved? God created man in His own image for companionship; He did not create puppets to be handled by the puppet master. He gave us a free will and He works through our choices. Thank God that He gives us this promise from Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Working through our choices takes time, God’s time, not microwave time. Watching and waiting are rather difficult concepts because we don’t want to exercise our patience. Thank God that He uses His patience with us.
Remember Job and all his troubles? What would you do if that were you? Read what his friend Elihu tells him in Job 36-37. In chapter 36:7, 15 Elihu states, “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous...He delivers the poor in their affliction....” Does that sound like an absent God?
Elihu states in chapter 37:14, “Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.” Now substitute your name in place of Job and hear God speaking to you in Job 38 - 40:2. What a mighty God we serve! After reading of His marvelous works, did you find yourself feeling like Job in 40:3-5? Repent and receive His loving forgiveness. Then stand still and consider all of His works in creation and in your life.
To help you remember God’s works in your own life, read Psalm 77 as Asaph is comforted by the memory of God’s redemptive works. Our souls are consoled when we recall how God has worked even in the midst of our anguish. Now begin your worship of a God who loves you. Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it. Job 36:24-25 (The Message)
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5 (NKJV)
O LORD, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5 (NKJV)
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
God is big enough to handle our anger, hurts, and disappointments, but is it deserved? God created man in His own image for companionship; He did not create puppets to be handled by the puppet master. He gave us a free will and He works through our choices. Thank God that He gives us this promise from Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Working through our choices takes time, God’s time, not microwave time. Watching and waiting are rather difficult concepts because we don’t want to exercise our patience. Thank God that He uses His patience with us.
Remember Job and all his troubles? What would you do if that were you? Read what his friend Elihu tells him in Job 36-37. In chapter 36:7, 15 Elihu states, “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous...He delivers the poor in their affliction....” Does that sound like an absent God?
Elihu states in chapter 37:14, “Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.” Now substitute your name in place of Job and hear God speaking to you in Job 38 - 40:2. What a mighty God we serve! After reading of His marvelous works, did you find yourself feeling like Job in 40:3-5? Repent and receive His loving forgiveness. Then stand still and consider all of His works in creation and in your life.
To help you remember God’s works in your own life, read Psalm 77 as Asaph is comforted by the memory of God’s redemptive works. Our souls are consoled when we recall how God has worked even in the midst of our anguish. Now begin your worship of a God who loves you. Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it. Job 36:24-25 (The Message)
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5 (NKJV)
O LORD, how great are Your works!
Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5 (NKJV)
The works of the LORD are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:2-4 (NKJV)
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:2-4 (NKJV)
Could the God of heaven and earth who sacrificed His own Son for the whole world forget you in your own trials? His eyes are on you and He displays His splendor every day as a reminder that He is near. The psalmist in Psalm 74:9 says, “We are given no signs from God.” But he was angry. He also failed to look around and recognize God who gives us plenty of signs. Are we paying attention?
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse... Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
Close your worship of our mighty God with Psalm 148 (NKJV):
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse... Romans 1:20 (NKJV)
Close your worship of our mighty God with Psalm 148 (NKJV):
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For He commanded and they were created.
He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.
Praise the LORD!
Thank you, SW, for reminding me to recognize Him everywhere!!!!