“And he said to them, ‘Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?’ But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.” 1 Samuel 2:23-25
Have you ever had something happen to you that was so awful you thought there is no way it could be God’s will? I can remember a season where I experienced a car accident, heartbreak, and a lay-off within a six-week period. Talk about a downpour in life! Maybe your awful situation involves a physical attack, a falling out with a loved one, financial downturn, a tough diagnosis, or an incurable illness. The possibilities are endless when it comes to what can seemingly go wrong in our lives. Often it can feel like we’re drowning.
The truth is life came at people quickly even in Biblical days. Joseph was put through the wringer, all of which was preparation for the fulfillment of the promise God gave him in his dreams. The Israelites had to wander for forty years and experience famine, disease, and death before God would allow them to enter the Promised Land. Here we find the prophet Samuel who tried to warn his wicked sons and get them to change their behavior, but instead they would not listen to their father’s advice. In fact, the Bible records that “they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.”
Yikes! Sometimes God’s will for us isn’t always rainbows and candy. That’s a tough pill to swallow. He’s still loving. He’s still merciful. He still only wants what is best for us in the right season. And God is so powerful that He will leverage adversity to ensure what He wants to happen in our lives actually occurs on this earth for His glory.
Sometimes adverse things happen to us, and we understand within months or a few years why they played out that way. Other times things happen to us and we never understand why for decades, or we won’t understand on this side of glory. What matters is that God’s will and plan for our lives is so much greater than what we could ever want, dream, or imagine for ourselves (Ephesians 3:20). The next time adversity strikes in our lives, we must remember that God’s will is to give us good, perfect gifts, and to develop our character so we reflect Christ and His kingdom daily (James 1:17, Deuteronomy 8:2-3). Trust that His good and perfect will always prevails (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Proverbs 16:4).
Reflection
What adversity have I experienced in life that seems counter to God’s will for me? Was there any benefit? If so, what? Have I brought my unanswered questions to God in prayer? Why or why not? Where or in whom am I placing my trust?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for being all-powerful and loving me enough to only want to give me your best. In seasons of adversity, help me to understand what you want me to learn or do as a result of the situation. Let me never forget that You love me and that You will never leave or forsake me in both comfortable and uncomfortable seasons. Move in me to trust in You above all else. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
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