"This is always perplexing work, because of the disturbing influence of feeling and prejudice. God's ways are not always what we like, and then it is very easy to say that, they are not right. The good man has constantly to fall back upon his absolute knowledge of what God is and upon his deep, experimental conviction of God's righteous goodness, in order to undo the tangle in which things seem to have got, and to put things into an order and relation that bring to view the Divine righteousness." - The Pulpit Commentary
At one time or another, there is a question that both sinner and saint alike ask. That question is - "Why?"
Why do things happen as they do? Where was God in all of this? Could not God have prevented this from happening? Why do the wicked seem to prosper in the world while the righteous suffer want?
There is only one answer to all of these questions, and that answer is this - "God does not work in our way."
This answer may not satisfy some, nonetheless, it is an answer.
And, as a Christian, you may be big enough to ask questions, but you must realize that you are not big enough to know the answers. Some are left for only God to know.
1 Corinthians 13:12 confirms this by saying -"For now we see through a glass, darkly..."
Things or situations are "seen" obscurely, darkly, and imperfectly. Little is really known and much is left for conjecture. The enigmas, riddles, or dark sayings of life are very obscure and attended with great darkness and imperfection.
Peter ran into such an enigma when Jesus began to wash the feet of His disciples. He questioned the Lord by saying - "Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?" Note Jesus' response - "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." (John 13:6-7)
Even though you may not understand the Master's methods of action, you must believe that He can and will never do you wrong.
Psalms 145:17 says -"The LORD is righteous in all His ways..."
Did the Bible say that "the LORD is righteous in some of His ways"?
No, on the contrary, it said that He "is righteous in all His ways..."
His "ways" are His methods of action. In all of His "ways," He is absolutely "righteous."
That means that He can never be found unrighteous in His works. For the children of men Whom He governs, He can do none of them any wrong.
"The LORD is righteous..."
He is holy. Hence, in His own character, laws, and providential dealings, He violates no right. He wrongs no one. Nor does He demand a service from anyone which would be unjust.
Now some of His "ways" of providence may seem intricate, perplexed, unsearchable, and past finding out - especially respecting the prosperity of the wicked and the afflictions of the righteous. However, before long, they will always come forth as being just and true.
Though man's ways may be unequal, His "ways" will always prove equal. In giving laws, recompensing service, and punishing offenses, He is incontestably just.
Hence, you can trust in Him that - "in all His ways" - in all His methods of action shown toward you - He will always act righteously - while never, ever doing you wrong.
In Hosea 14:9, the prophet Hosea made this important declaration - "...for the ways of the LORD are right..."
This is actually the first principle in religion (Christianity). And this is the conclusion that the prophet Hosea came to at the end of his prophecy.
God is a "righteous" God; hence, His methods of action will always be essentially, immutably, and everlastingly "right." They cannot be otherwise because they are His.
"...for the ways of the LORD are right..."
The "ways" He takes in guiding, guarding, and governing men are "right" - always conducting to a "right" end. His commands are just, His requirements reasonable, His doings wise, and His intentions kind. His ways of providence in which He walks toward us - His ordering for us in His eternal wisdom that course of life which leads most directly to Himself - are all "right." No fault could ever be found with any thing that He does. It is all well done.
In Psalms 18:30, David made this declaration - "As for God, His way is perfect..."
However, with all of life's riddles to puzzle out, and all of God's dark dealings to try you, you may not feel that His "way" is always "perfect." At times, you may not always see the reason of it. His "way" may seem to run contrary to His promises or the design of His Providence. He designs good but disappointment after disappointment seem to prevail.
And what about the great afflictions that meet God's people in their way of duty while the wicked who walk contrary to Him experience "the sunny side of life"?
David followed the Lord through many dark steps and various troubles. Yet, He realized that God's doings are "perfect." His methods of administration are "perfect." His government is "perfect." There is absolutely nothing wanting, defective, or redundant in what He does.
Though it may be opposed by wicked men or murmured at by His own people, God's "way" of providence is, was, and always will be without spot - without any just charge of inequality or unrighteousness.
The Pulpit Commentary made this statement - "What God does, He does effectually; He does not have recourse to half-measures."
And the Sermon Bible Commentary added - "God never puts a wrong burden on anybody's back."
Do God's "ways" run contrary to man's "ways"?
Isaiah 55:8-9 verifies that fact -"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
The "ways" in which God prescribes and directs for your life may and oftentimes will run contrary to yours.
The great difference between God's plans and yours can be likened to the great distance between the heavens and the earth.
His nature in every way infinitely transcends yours. His thoughts and acts surpass your understanding.
In Romans 11:33, the Apostle Paul declared -"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"
At this time in your life, God's plans may seemingly appear very "deep" - being beyond your comprehension. While assessing your life's circumstances or over-all direction, you know not what He is designing or what He has in view. You simply cannot give a reason of His particular proceedings.
Besides that - His "ways" are not always what you like. Hence, you are tempted to think that they are not "right" - but flawed in some way.
However, it is during the "hour of temptation" that you must remember what the Word of God (the one and only source of truth) says -
"The LORD is righteous in all His ways..." (Psalms 145:17)
"...for the ways of the LORD are right..." (Hosea 14:9)
"As for God, His way is perfect..." (Psalms 18:30)
The "righteous" and "holy" "LORD" is too wise to err and too good to be unkind.
He loves you and - at all times - has your best interest in mind.
Never forget that!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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