When We Don’t Understand
February 17, 2020
When We Don’t Understand
What is a mystery to us is never a mystery to God.
With Bishop Ronald K. Powell
Key Passage: 1 Peter 5:6-10
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Introduction
Trials, difficulties, and suffering bring out a variety of attitudes and responses. Some people become angry with God for allowing the situation, while others are able to rejoice in Him knowing that He’s doing something good in their lives through the hardship. But one of the most common responses is to want to know why this has happened. Yet so many times, we don’t understand, and God doesn’t reveal the reason to us.
Sermon Points
When you don’t understand why something has happened, remember these basic truths.
- God’s perspective is complete, but ours is limited.
- The Lord is full of love, righteousness, mercy, goodness, and kindness.
- God’s thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isa. 55:8-9)8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
- The Lord is faithful and His goodness, love, and mercy never cease (Lam. 3:22-23).22 It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion’s fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
- Understanding why is not as important as seeing God’s viewpoint and responding according to His Word. (1 Pet. 5:6-10). 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Whenever you experience pain, disappointment, or distress, how do you respond?
- Do you see it as God’s way of getting your attention?
- Is God using this to remind you to depend on Him?
- Could this be a satanic attack
- (1 Pet. 5:8;8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- Eph. 6:10-17 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- Is God testing your faith?
Do you have the right to ask God why you’re going through pain or difficulty?
- Yes, it’s a natural response.
- However, God is under no obligation to answer your question.
- But sometimes the Lord will give you a reason (2 Cor. 12:7). 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
How should you respond to suffering and pain when you don’t understand why God allowed it?
- Remember that you are a child of God, and He’s watching over you.
- Recall that the Lord is always with you.
- Acknowledge that God has allowed the situation for His divine purpose.
- Thank the Lord in the midst of the difficulty (1Thess. 5:18). 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
- Remember that “God causes all things to work together for good to those … who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
- Know that the Lord will “perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:10). 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Closing
The right response to trials is to immediately direct our thoughts toward God. When we look at them from His perspective, we’ll recognize that they are opportunities for spiritual growth and ever increasing faith. There are some things we will never understand because they are beyond our human comprehension, but we can always know that God loves us and is working every situation for our good.
Leave a Reply