Psalm 22:1-2 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest."
Psalm 102:1-2 - "Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you.2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly."
A cry of a suffering for the righteous.
Why do the righteous suffer?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
This has been a longstanding question throughout the history of mankind!
If you turn to other people for an answer, then you may hear many answers like:
It is natural - good people and bad people face the same situations.
Maybe this is a punishment from God.
Maybe this is a curse.
Maybe your suffering is because of somebody else’s mistake.
People's statements will push you into more trouble.
Turn to God and His holy word, instead of turning to man and find out what the scripture says:
Romans 8:28 - "And we know that all things God work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Let us divide this verse into five parts and find out what Paul wants us to understand about the power of this very familiar verse!
To them that love God
Loving God means pleasing God – pleasing God means knowing the heart of God.
Knowing the heart of God means discerning what God likes and what God hates.
Loving God means creating an intimate relationship with God.
Creating and intimate friendship means always walking with God and talking with God.
Always walking and talking with God means there is no secret we can keep from him, nothing we can hide from my best friend, my God.
This means God is my real-life partner, more than my spouse and my kids.
See what David says in Psalms 139:1-12:
"You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."
If you and I love him as our Lord – He won’t allow himself to share your love with anyone else or anything else of this world or the things that belong to the devil.
Matthew 22:37-38 - "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment."
Jesus asked Peter, John 21:15, "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
I want to keep my friendship with my God at any cost – Paul even says the following:
Philippians 2:17 - "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you."
Abraham loved his God – He was ready to give his only son.
Joseph loved his God – He was ready to go through any situation.
David loved his God – He waited patiently for a good end.
Daniel loved his God – He kept his calling and anointing regardless of how terrible the situation was.
Job loved his God – He had everything taken away, yet He considered God his best friend.
Job gave permission to God to do whatever He wants with his life. We shouldn't expect any benefits from God just for loving Him.
Proverbs 27:6 - "Wounds from a friend can be trusted."
Jesus wants to ask you that question again:
"Do you love me more than these?" If I take everything away from you, what will your attitude be towards me?
Song: Ente Sneham ninaku mathrum – vereyarum kavarukilla...............................
Roman 8:28 - "And we know that all things God work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."