Devoted to Seemingly Uncaring God in Trying Times

“Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

– John 11:32 Legacy Standard Bible [2021, New Translation]

The story of Mary is one of the best illustrations of devotion to God. Her devotion to Christ (anointing Jesus’ feet) came as a rebuke to the disciples and even to her sister (sitting at Jesus’ feet). Even in this account of raising Lazarus from the tomb, we see Mary’s fervent devotion to seemingly indifferent Jesus. First, Jesus healed a lot of sick people, but He wasn’t there for them. Second, Jesus delayed 2 days in coming. Yet, when Mary knew of Christ’s arrival, she ran to Him. Mary was utterly right that Lazarus wouldn't have died, had Christ been there in Bethany when he was sick.

However, Mary was also absolutely wrong to have said in that manner. When she said those words, she was saying, in fact, “It's unfortunate! It's a mistake that You were not able to be here! If you had been here, this would not happen!” However, we now know that it wasn't a mistake. Jesus purposefully let it happen (v4-6). It was not to torture Mary or Lazarus, of course. It was to strengthen their faith when He restored life to Lazarus. A thousand years ago, Abraham was called upon to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham didn't think it to be a mistake. He was devoted to God and decided to sacrifice his son, believing that God could raise him again (Heb.12:19). God confirmed his faith.

Few months ago, I bought a new laptop. It often got hanged 2, 3 times a day. And I often got annoyed thinking, “This is a mistake. Why would the Lord cause me to choose this deceitful laptop among many?” We know, God commits no mistake. I still have not found the exact reason why, but I have learned a lot about the need for patience already! After all, pastors should be known for their gentleness and patience, right? [I wrote this devotional piece months ago. At the time of publishing this blog, my PC has been working very smoothly for more than a month already. I thank God!]

Has it been for you that the Lord seems indifferent, unkind, and uncaring to answer your prayers? Remember, God’s compassion for us is exceedingly abundant than we can ever imagine. God allows all circumstances in life to strengthen us in our faith in Him. Would you practice to trust and rest in Him who knows all things and works for our own good?

Lost phone in Delhi, found comfort in Christ!

Years ago, I lost my Phone (along with my precious Memory card and 2 SIMs). I was pickpocketed in the hustle and bustle of Delhi’s street. I remember myself walking silently to the metro station in deep thinking, why such a thing happened in the world. You know, there is nothing good to have lost anything. There is no reason for losing anything.

Wisdom Through Suffering

It’s a fact that ‘we stop learning only when we die’. It means ‘if I stop learning, I’m dead.’ We experienced this fact in our lives as the saying goes, “Experience is the father of Wisdom.” It seems to me, most of the times learning and wisdom grow best in the environment of struggles and problems. It’s Malcolm Muggeridge who said most of his learning and understanding comes from suffering (70 %?). I see more in the Calvary cross where the Son of God suffered, bled and died for the solutions of the problems of mankind and universe.

"WAITING For The Lord"

In the story of Abraham, we find God calling out Abraham from his father’s house with promises. He got the calling, he followed but when the famine struck the land he had no means to live. Perhaps he was not to go to Egypt but to look up to God for deliverance because it is He who promised him. He was not supposed to tell lie for he had said of his wife as his sister which is a half-truth. And we remember what happened then.

Gen.15-16 recorded another incident where Abraham tried (over-smartly) to help God fulfill His promise. Abraham had been living there for 10 years without any son or descendant. On the counsel of his wife Sarah, Abraham went into Hagar. Perhaps Abraham should have waited more for discernment, though 10 years had been really long time. He lost hope though not in the LORD. He felt there was a better life than what he was living. He waited and trusted God. His contentment, satisfaction is in the Lord, but he also desperately wanted to have a son born of him. He felt God’s gift to be irrelevant if he but have no son for his heir.

God called and promised Abraham but let him wait and waited for years that made him felt of no much use. At the call, he was filled with hope and expectation then, followed by troubles (famine, Pharaoh, Lot’s captivity) then, probably a shattered dream because of no son. What kind of promise is that? Is that good and interesting?

Jacob got the blessing but just after that, he found himself fleeing from his home and serve Laban for over 20 years. Joseph got a propitious dream than realizing himself sold as a slave by his own brothers. He endured false accusation, prison terms and others for over 13 years. 

Moses, a promising child from birth, raised up in the palace was perhaps convinced that God will use him. He started to work out and found himself rejected even by his own people and fled to Midian dwelling there for 40 years. A broken-man, hope was lost and no more plans. Out of utter brokenness, he made excuses with God 6 times when God commissioned him. 40 years in the palace, 40 years in Midian, now 80 years old aged man! How can 80 years old man be useful?

Paul, the almost perfect in human eyes of whom, Christ appeared and commissioned in a dramatic way, had to stay in Jerusalem for 3 years and another 10 years before he took up the leadership. 13 years? Peter and the Apostles accepted the calling of Jesus to be the disciples of the Lord with the hope of the Messianic kingdom where they can be part of the ruling government. They found their Hope being humiliated in the most severe way they have ever known which even an inch or ounce He never deserves. Their hope distinguished, they cannot understand, though they never condemn, even Judas Iscariot made his final confession before his self-made gallows. The disciples found themselves going back to their old profession, what best they knew and can do for a living with lots of disappointment.

Even our Lord Himself, the God in human flesh waited and lived a carpentry life for around 29 years before He started His ministry. What’re all these? God calls out that they and we suffer? The Israelite questioned and wrestled that at the expense of their souls many times (Exodus 14 onwards of the book). God calls out to live a hope-loss life, to live a cheated, mistreated, slavery and desperate life?

Elizah, the servant of God inspired, confident and tough confronted King Ahab then found himself commanded to get away and hide by the Brook Cherith and fed by ravens for his daily needs. Ravens? Are you kidding me, the unclean birds, Ravens? Then went to Zarephath where the son of the woman died in his stay with them. A  presence of the servant of God made the absence of the child’s soul? Not blessings, curses?

Daniel, a man of dreams and visions, had set his heart to understand, and to humble himself before God (Dan.10:12) but he got no revelation and had to wait for 21 days. 

They said, “Walk to God, and He will run to you.” What have we seen in all these? Is it consistent? These people are the biblical heroes, each man the man of God. They had problems to struggle throughout their life. They had to wait with adversities and almost no hope in spite of promises for them. They faced difficulties, were humiliated beyond our imagination and still, we believe they are our heroes and men of God. Can we picture any enjoyment and happiness in their lives?

Now perhaps is the time to thinking. Let’s Think!!!

21^st September 2013 Saturday, 10:30 AM