Igumpeule Ndang
Jalukie Town
In life, we come across different circumstances letting us experience good times and hard times alike, the more we grow in age the more experiences we gain. Though I am still young, I have had my share of experiences too. Through the things, I have faced and gone through, I have realized what Isaiah said in Ch 55. 8-9 is very true indeed-‘for my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
God’s thoughts and ways are so different from that of human beings. Many a times we embark upon new adventures with a firm conviction that we have taken the right decision and are on the right track but on the way things suddenly change and right in front of our eyes we see all our efforts go down the drain. Such happenings are difficult for humans to understand and you and I are tempted to wonder - what actually went wrong? What mistake have I done? Why is this happening? Does God really exist? When faced with such situations if we are not careful we are in danger of straying from our faith or sliding back. When we backslide or stray from our faith the devil is pleased, so, we must stand firm in our faith and not give the devil a chance. We need to remember that the stronger we grow in our faith, the harder the devil work to weaken our faith to pull us away from God. Therefore, when faced with trying times we need to strive harder to stay connected with God.
Today, you may be in a situation, which is making you wonder why didn’t He give me what I asked for when I had asked for it with such pure intentions. Why is He letting me wait for so long? Why is He delaying in answering my prayers? Does He really care? At times like this, it will do us good to recall the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus who lived in Bethany (found in the Gospel of John Chapter 11). From this story, we learn that Jesus loved them but even after learning that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two more days in the place where He was ministering to the people. By the time He reached Bethany Lazarus was already dead and was in the tomb for four days. And there Jesus performed a miracle which is held in awe all through the ages – He raised Lazarus from death.
When Jesus delayed His coming even after learning that Lazarus was ill, the three siblings might have wondered why is He doing this to us? Does He really care? Yet from the story we learn that Jesus did this deliberately for the glorification of God’s name.
Since God’s ways and thoughts are greater, higher and better than human thoughts and ways, sometimes He does not give us the things we passionately long for because He has something better and greater in store for us.
Besides, before He pour out His blessings on us He let us wait - for days, months and even years - in order to prepare and teach us beautiful things so that when He finally blesses us we may appreciate His blessings and use it solely for His glory.
At the moment, your life may not be turning out the way you have planned or you could be one among those whose prayers are yet to be answered, prayers which you have been praying sincerely for months, years. And being faced with such a situation, you may be starting to wonder why is He not letting things work out for me? Why is He delaying or is being late? It is not unusual for a mere human being to wonder and raise such questions. But no matter what, He will not let you down, He will be on time as the song writer says, ‘His ways is not our ways, not yours or mine…isn’t it great when He is four days late He’s still on time…’ In all circumstances may we ever be encouraged by this verse - Rom 8:28 ‘everything works out for GOOD for those who LOVE God…’ You may be going through a hard time but believe that if you are someone who loves the Lord what is happening today in your life is for good. No matter what, never give up, keep hoping, keep believing, expecting a miracle sooner or later!
