“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” – Charles Spurgeon This is the quote that I had in mind when I preached recently in CCP on Isaiah 55: 8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”
All of us can relate to this passage taken at face value so to speak. Things happen and we begin to question God, and some, if we’re honest, may doubt God. God, where were You, where are You? Why did you let this happen? God, do you love me? I’m sure many of the men we’ve encountered in Prison have had thoughts like these as they have dealt with the trials and challenges of life. Some of these were brought on by circumstances over which they had no control, some by choices they have made. Regardless, the pain and struggles are real and all of us try to understand and make sense of God when we really can’t. Consider Job…
Since teaching on that passage, this was brought to bear with the tragic loss of a friend from church. I write this within a couple of hours of attending his funeral – the thoughts are fresh. He was a believer, so we know and take comfort he is with Jesus right now. But this is where the questions begin. He was 56 years old when he had his heart attack. He had just celebrated one year of marriage to his second wife as his first wife went home to be with the Lord in 2018. He and his bride had just been approved to foster 3 brothers ranging in age from 7 – 14, with the intent of adoption. I learned that my friend had been adopted so he had a special heart for these boys.
And so, with this tragic, inexplicable loss, the questions begin: God, why now? God, what’s going to happen to these boys? How can it be explained to them that God is a loving God? How can we comfort his wife? I spoke with her briefly. Through her pain, she is trusting God.
Let’s go back to the passage in Isaiah and look at the surrounding passages to get context. This is a passage about salvation! God is telling us that we wouldn’t understand His marvelous plan. In our sinful minds, we think we need to earn salvation by some effort of our own, or perhaps we just merit it because we’re “good people”. God says no, not so! God invites us to come freely and partake because He loves us. He sacrificed His Son – He bore the pain and shame on our behalf. He calls us to humbly come and accept the free gift of grace. God, why do you love me so much that you did this for me? I believe His reply would be, “You wouldn’t understand.” Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me!
This is why we can trust God’s heart when we can’t trace His hand. Because of the Cross! He has a plan and we are blessed to be a part of it and to share it with others. Jesus told us we would have troubles in this life, but He also told us of the promises of Heaven and He made the way for us to be there with Him. Praise Him for His unfathomable love!