Opus 2011-222, Christian Cliches: Why Me, Lord,? Part IV

Notice that earlier I said we have often brought calamity upon ourselves, not always, not even most of the time.  It is really easy for us to be arrogant towards those experiencing calamity.  We are happy to judge in cases like that.  There is an assumption built into the hearts of men that success and failure are tied to our personal worth and character.  Remember when Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.  The listeners were amazed.  Rich people were supposed to get the first ticket.  Remember when Jesus was asked why the man was born blind and the implication was sin in the lives of him or his parents.

(John 9:2 KJV)  And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

I just realized it was the disciples asking this, not the Pharisees.  That is too close to home for the way we often think.  Have you ever had someone make the case for this in regard to autism or birth defects?  Jesus was having none of it.  His answer blows away that arrogance.

(John 9:3 KJV)  Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

I have some friends that lost a baby.  It died just before it was due.  They were devastated but they continued to trust and obey.  Another couple watched them as they went through the tragedy and today that second couple is walking with the Lord because of the way in which my friends dealt with their tragedy.

Look at this well known verse.

(Romans 8:28 KJV)  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.

This does not say that we rejoice in tragedy.  It does not say we should seek failure.  It does not say all things are good.  What it promises is that God can take any ugliness that touches us and sanctify it so that good results.

Consider this reminder:

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV)  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

The tribulation that God helps us through prepares us to be spiritual medicine for others going through deep water.

I could go on.  We are not taken out of the world.  We live in a fallen creation with all of the kinks and cracks that effect it.  We will be the butt end of life’s jokes.  But we get to deliver the punch line.

(2 Corinthians 4:8-9 KJV)  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

I don’t want calamity in my life.  I hope to avoid tragedy.  I don’t like pain and suffering.  But I have the promise of a God who will see me through.

To be continued...

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