WOW… What a topic. Today, I asked God to speak to me from His word. Coming up this Sunday in our Sunday School class, we are talking about the Justice of God. Some tough questions like:
1. If God is a Just God – then Why is there so much pain – suffering – and unfairness in this World?
2. If God is Just – then why do I suffer so much. I thought God Loved me?
Questions like this are always the result of our fallen nature and inability to understand that God is completely SEPARATE and VERY DIFFERENT than us. (Is. 55:8)
The CORRECT place to start to understand God is to begin with Ps. 53: 2-3
Here it is:
God Looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand – who seek God. Everyone of them has turned aside. They have together become corrupt. There is NONE who does GOOD. No, not one. (Emphasis mine)
Well, if this is true then this is me and you! Apart from the outpouring of God in this fallen heart – I will not EVER seek God. I cannot because I will remain bound to my sin. I will seek it – Love it – Participate in it fully with others who are the same. TOGETHER – we will go astray.
SO – Read this verse.
Ps. 66:10-12
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You Laid affliction on our backs. You have CAUSED men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich Fulfillment.
Notice what must come first – PAIN – SUFFERING – HARDSHIPS – HUMILITY BEFORE OUR SIN – HURT – UNFAIR SITUATIONS
Before rich fulfillment comes. Now – I believe that God does sometimes bring rich fulfillment in this life – but I am convinced that God is primarily using THIS LIFE – to refine us for the next. Yes – God desires good for us – but He wants us to NOT PROFAIN HIS NAME ( Is. 48:10-11) and misrepresent Him in this fallen world. It is our natural tendency to sin – even as a Christian. He MUST cause the refiners fire to come to the life of His children in order to Refine me and you.
Does God Bring fullfillment in this Life? YES – but not apart from His work of refining us first.
Read these verses
Is. 1:18-20 , 25, Is. 48:10-11, Proverbs 17:3, Jer. 6:29, Ezek. 22:17-22; Dan. 12:10, Mal. 3:3
God does desire to bless us – both now in this life (somewhat) and definitely in the life to come – in glory.
So… When we feel the flame around us, thank God for His refining work.
Tim Gowens