HOPE in the Hurt

In Isaiah 45, God makes a great statement. Actually, it’s such a good statement that He said it twice in two verses, 5 and 6: "I am the Lord and there is no other." Nine words that have so much meaning and give hope to all who are called by and trust in His Name. 

God is in charge! Even decisions made by world leaders are ordained by Him. We scratch our heads at some of the things we see happening at the hands of others, but nothing makes God scratch His head. He is not only in charge, but He takes responsibility. No one can do anything without His direction or permission.

He is in charge of His creation. Everything was created by Him and for Him and for the enjoyment of His people. The incredible sunrises and sunsets we see were made by Him. The mountains, the waterfalls, flowers, trees and, yes, the bugs (even crawling ants and stinging bees and those Lantern flies that drive us crazy because, no matter what we do, we can’t catch them). And, nowhere does He showcase His creation as He does in His most prized creation – humans!  Can you ever get over how fearfully and wonderfully made you are?!?

However, verse 7 of Isaiah 45 goes on to say, "The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord Who does all these."

"Wait a minute," you say. “I can understand and easily accept the fact that our God of love created the things that bring us delight; but the hard things? Sorry, I can't swallow that.” However, a look at the Old Testament gives clear indication that God permitted, and sometimes even directed, difficult incidents in the lives of His people. Including death. Psalm 66:10-12 states, "For Thou hast tried us, O God; Thou hast refined us as silver is refined. Thou didst bring us into the net; Thou didst lay an oppressive burden upon our loins. Thou didst make men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; Yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance."

The same God Who amazes us with so many incredible sights, sounds and experiences also directs or permits hard circumstances and outright pain to enter our lives. Why would He do that? Many have asked that question and have walked away from God without looking further into the matter. Keep this in mind. God owes no person a reason for what He chooses to do. But, if we take time to look at the character of God, we see that He is holy, wise and, most of all – loving. Look again at the end of Psalm 66:12 “…Yet Thou didst bring us out into a place of abundance.”

Read the words of a favorite song of mine: “God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my Guide, hold me closely to His side, with grace and strength for each new day, He will make a way. He will make a way. By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me. And rivers in the desert will I see. Heaven and Earth will fade, but His Word will still remain. And He will do something new today. He will make a way for me.”

Dear friend, in your hurting heart, remember that God doesn’t do ANYTHING without a redemptive purpose, as He did with the death of His Son. And, as you go through the hurt of your situation, He is lovingly by your side to provide all the grace and strength you need.

I pray and hope you experience hope, no matter how painful your situation, because GOD IS IN CONTROL. Oswald Chambers said, “Not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God’s will is behind it. Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him.”