Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-17:10, John 11:1-37
“I know God…I love God… I serve God…
Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening to my family? “I just don’t deserve this, Lord!”
I’ve had these thoughts many times in my life.
- Why would I carry a baby for 8 months and then lose him?
- Why would I get a divorce after 22 years of marriage?
- Why did my Dad die before he got to meet his great-grandchildren?
- Why would my friend die of A.I.D.s?
- Why am I a Cystic Fibrosis carrier?
- Why have my daughters had miscarriages and struggled with infertility?
- Why does my granddaughter have Cystic Fibrosis?
I will never completely know the answer to these questions this side of heaven but I do believe the Bible addresses this question in John 11.
Jesus was good friends with one particular family. He loved these people like his own siblings. He spent a lot of time with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus was out-of-town the day Lazarus got sick. Mary and Martha sent Jesus a message and told Him that Lazarus was very sick.
When Jesus heard the news He answered their questions before they could ask them. He also answered my question that day:
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” John 11:4 (emphasis mine)
For the glory of God!
For the glory of God!
FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
FOR THE GLORY OF GOD!
Has God received glory in the “why God” times of my life? I sure hope so– I pray that I have done my part is pointing others to Christ in the difficult times of life, because I KNOW that He has done His part!
As I was thinking about this scripture this morning, the Lord reminded me that I have had some other things happen in my life, I don’t deserve…
I don’t deserve…
- To have Jesus come to earth and die for my sins; I don’t deserve to be totally forgiven
- To be been blessed with giving birth to three amazing children when many women have no children
- To be married to an amazing man who is my greatest fan and cheerleader when many divorced women are lonely and sad
- To still have my grandma and mother with me when so many don’t have any of their parents with them at my age
- For all of my children to have been able to have children; when so many would do anything to be able to conceive a child
- For God to help the doctors and researchers to find a cure for the Cystic Fibrosis(C.F.) gene defect when so many in years past have lost their lives to this terrible disease
- For my granddaughter Ayla who has C.F.to be healthy, happy, and full of life when many kids with C.F. are very sick
…There sure is a lot in life I don’t deserve.
When you think about it, God allows us to go through hard times and good times and they’re
BOTH
for the glory of God.
Why?
Because our time on this earth is for two reasons:
- To know and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior
- To cause others to know Him
The bottom line of life on this earth is bringing Glory to Jesus!
Heavenly Father, help us to get a glimpse of Your purpose for our life. I pray that our good times and tough times both bring glory to Your Name and Your Kingdom. Help us to trust You and know that You are using our lives to cause others to Know You more!
In Jesus Name’. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: John 11:38-57, Luke 17:11-18:8
