Guilt Finders

 

     We blame ourselves. We blame others. We blame God. There’s plenty of guilt to throw around. “She didn’t have enough faith for healing. They deserve the suffering.” Look at Job.  Job suffered more than most. He lost his children, his home, his livelihood and his health. His so-called friends and even his wife blamed him. What did you do for God to punish you like this?

     As believers, we might wonder the same. Why do we suffer? There is danger in believing we will be prosperous, healthy and blessed every day of our lives. God walks with us through our suffering. He may walk us through, steer us around, or miraculously deliver us.  Our suffering can draw us closer to Him, making our faith even stronger. Job did what we need to do. He looked up.

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the  name of the Lord.” Job 1:21b

     Even the disciples questioned Jesus about a man blind from birth.

His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  John 9:2

Jesus answered:

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  John 9:3

     Here we are thousands of years later reading and discussing both Job and the blind man. The man born blind was used to show the healing power of Christ. Job’s suffering was used to show the possibility of trust and deep faith even when everything is taken from us. Get rid of the guilt and look up. The one of your heart is there in the midst of it. We just may be used to display the works of God.

Dear Lord,

Our suffering has meaning for You. Take away our guilt or the temptation to blame others. You meet our needs whatever we do and wherever we are. Comfort those in grief and doubt today with Your presence. You have the grace to cover it all.

Amen