“In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).
“Why Lord?”
Have you ever asked that question? Sometimes our lives can be filled
with trouble and sorrow, and it is easy to lose hope and wonder where God is in
the midst of our despair. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples before he
was to be crucified. He knew his disciples were going to grieve and he gave
them a lecture on having hope. (John 16: 19-33) He knew that they would undergo
much tribulation as His followers in the days ahead and wanted them to know
that He would never forsake them. The verse that really gives me hope is: “Now
is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one
will take away your joy” (John 26:22 NIV)
Because we have Christ in
us, we have His joy inside of us even when we face our trials. He is with us
through the storms of our lives.
There are many people in the Bible that
could have asked the question “Why Lord?”
Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace. Joseph was
thrown into prison on false charges. David had to hide in a cave so that he
wouldn’t be killed by Saul. Esther risked death in order to save the Jews from
being killed. This is just to name a few who had tremendous problems. But the
great thing that binds all these people together is the fact that they trusted
in God, and He came to their aid.
You have a Savior who loves you very much
and nothing can separate you from that love. “Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness
or danger or sword?.....No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35,37). You may not have the answer to “Why
Lord?” given to you, but please know that God is with you through it and there
are people watching you to see if your faith is real. This is when you can
impact others and show them that having faith in God can give you the peace to
face anything. This is a time you can witness to others that you love the Lord
and trust Him.
Dear Lord,
Help us to always love you
and trust you even when our lives are filled with trouble and fear. We know
that nothing can separate us from your love, and you are with us in the midst
of our trials. Help us to be a good witness for you in the midst of our
tribulation.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
