When following God doesn't make sense...

What do we do when following God doesn't make sense?

What do we do when it seems that God has provided a clear direction, and then doors close or the path becomes rocky?

What do we do when it seems that our obedience to what we thought was God's plan for our lives yields something other than God's abundant blessing?

It is at these times, more than ever, that we must stay the course.

Scripture declares: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

When it seems like everything is going against us, yet we know that we are living in accordance with God's will, it is our faith that sustains us. It is our faith that assures us of the things that we hope for (namely, a life that gives glory to God). It is our faith which provides for us the conviction of the things that are unseen, which God has promised through His Word. When it seems that all things are against us, we can be sure that God is still for us if we are living a life of humble submission to him (see Romans 8:31).

I reflect on the crucifixion of Jesus ... how terrible it must have seemed to those who knew Him and loved Him! But we have the amazing privilege of looking back with perfect hindsight, and are able to see how even in the midst of what seemed like the biggest catastrophe, God was bringing about the most important victory for His kingdom! The circumstances of Jesus' death were not the end of the story. It is our faith that assures us that, even in the midst of our worst circumstances, God is still in control. His plans will always be accomplished.

Consider the life of Joseph in the Old Testament, who after being sold into bondage by his own family and spending years in prison for his refusal to compromise on his faith, when he encountered his brothers again (the very individuals who had caused him so much strife) Joseph told them: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive (Genesis 50:20). What an example of faith in the midst of terrible circumstances!

Even Hebrews 11 (from where our Scripture came from at the beginning of this post came) recounts the lives of the faithful. You can see that for some, their faith brings about what we would consider "good" circumstances: And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection... (Hebrews 11:32-35a). But Scripture continues: ...and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground (vv. 35b-38).

Our faith will never get us around our problems, but it will always get us through them. Christian, never forget that we have not been called to a life of comfort in following the Savior, but to a life that glorifies our Lord. Sometimes our walk in faith will be pleasant, but the times when trials and tribulation come are by no means an indication that God is absent.

He deserves our honor and praises even in our darkest times. For He is good. Always. Even when our circumstances make it hard for us to see.

Amen.