Biblical Perspective in Life’s Calamities

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are Your ways My ways,” says 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.” (1)

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” (2) Why does evil and violence prevail? “Why was my son murdered?” Tears fill my eyes when I think of Mike and how much I miss him.

The distress of murder left me stunned! Shocked and confused, my mind was bombarded by a flood of emotions that were out of control. Serious questions surfaced as I tried to piece together what had happened. “Lord, where were You when my son was murdered? Were You in control when the gunman pointed his gun at Michael and shot him? If You saw what happened, then why didn’t You save Him? Why didn’t the perpetrator fumble or drop the gun?” Or, “why didn’t the gun jam? Was it by fate or chance?” I don’t know the answers, but Scripture is clear no malicious plan can be carried out apart from God’s knowledge. Make no mistake; there is no evil in God. He is holy, set apart from all evil and sin. He is not the author of evil. What He does do is work “all things” for good, even the actions of sinful man.

“…Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (4)

Life is a mixture of blessings and trials; we thank God for the blessings and explicitly trust God more in the trials. Enduring hardships taught me some important lessons, one in that, God knows all things. He knows my whole life story from the beginning to the end. He also, foresaw the day Michael was born and counted the number of days of his life, even to the end. In His ordained will He permitted these things to happen – yet God’s speaks promises to my heart; He desires peace for me not evil to give me a future and a hope. (5)

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!” (6)

I rest my confidence in a wise God who is all-knowing and in control over everything. He is sovereign in my hour of pain…because He rules and lives; I CAN face tomorrow!

A right perspective is: God’s higher purposes are beyond our ability to see or understand.

While God works from an eternal perspective, we are shortsighted. Our perspectives are hazy, clouded by sin and are temporal shadows shaded by  personal adversity. I was extremely short-sighted due to my adversity and anguish. Tears clouded these dim eyes! My unclear vision saw what happened through my limited sight. I could only evaluate my world as shattered in a million pieces moving towards unprecedented ruin. God’s perspective is unlike mine. He works in ways neither you nor I can even begin to understand. By readjusting our vision we can get a glimpse through His eyes…than we can begin to see with fresh new sight.

Oh Sovereign Lord, in gratitude and appreciation I thank You for the rich blessings of Your wisdom and knowledge. Help me grow in truth as I find acceptance in knowing Your ways are always best. Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Isaiah 55: 8, 9
2. James 1:13
3. Job 2:10b
4. Psalm 139:16
5. Jeremiah 29:11
6. Romans 11:33

All Scripture taken from the nas