We think we know better and although we know what God expects from us as His children, we so often still choose the wrong path. As we read Jeremiah 5:1 – 9, we saw the reaction from God, when His people, who are called by His name, did not follow Him and His decrees. They worshipped other gods, swore falsely, were dishonest and so the list goes on.
The result was devastating for them as a nation, and we must not forget that innocent children received the consequences of their parents’ wrong decisions, carrying over curses from one generation to the next. God is very clear in this passage what the consequences are of not following His decrees, hence living for and by the things of this world.
He says: “…Therefore, a lion from the forest will attack them, a wolf from the desert will ravage them, a leopard will lie in wait near their towns to tear to pieces any who venture out, for their rebellion is great and their backslidings many. “Why should I forgive you? Should I not punish them for this?” declares the Lord. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”
After reading the above I hear hardened hearts, refusal to repent, broken bonds, adultery, unfaithfulness, stubbornness, evil deeds, no fear of the Lord, ruling by own authority and leaders misleading people. The results are punishment, being cut off from God’s blessings, generational curses, shortage, lack, loss and so the list goes on. These are the results for those who know God’s Word, but do not follow it.
Then, there are the cases where people don’t realise that they are doing wrong and when bad things happen in their lives, they don’t understand why. We, as the children of God, followers of Christ, have a responsibility to share the Gospel and the Word of God so that more people will know the truth and why certain things happen in their lives.
Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. In Hosea 4:6, God says: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”
This means generational curses and the only way to break these are to accept God, know God, accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and to follow Him whole heartedly. Then, when people turn from their wicked ways, they will once again as they seek God’s face, receive forgiveness and experience His blessings.
Off course there are instances when things happen for which there are no explanation for. People are saved in Christ and live Christ-filled lives and yet they experience the one storm after the other. We hear of many testimonies from Christ-filled children of God, who went through rape, armed robberies, job loss and waiting for breakthroughs at work, in their finances, health and marriage. Do we always understand WHY? No! People call out to God, and He might be silent in these challenges, but silence does not mean that He is not present.
He is God and still on the throne. Nothing goes unseen by Him. It says in Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” We also know that Romans 8:28 says that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Is this not exactly what Job was going through?
I don’t have all the answers to my own WHY’s, and therefore I don’t have them for yours either. I just know that God has a plan and purpose for us in His Master Plan and that He wants us, just like Job, to trust Him unconditionally. He says in Proverbs 3:5 that we must trust Him with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding.
May we stand on this promise of truth even though our WHY’s are not answered.
Love in Christ
Princess K