Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 21, 2016
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
In his book Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey writes about a friend named Douglas who experienced deep disappointment. Douglas’s wife contracted breast cancer. While in the middle of this crisis, a drunk driver swerved across the center line and smashed head-on into Douglas’ car, and Douglas received a severe blow to the head. His vision was affected, and his ability to read was hindered. He could hardly walk down a flight of stairs without assistance. The damage was irreparable. Philip interviewed Douglas to ask if he felt disappointment with God. Philip writes. . .
“Douglas was silent for what seemed like a long time. He stroked his peppery grey beard and gazed off beyond my right shoulder. . . . Finally he said, “To tell you the truth, Philip, I didn’t feel any disappointment with God. . . . The reason is this: I learned, first through my wife’s illness and then especially through the incident, not to confuse God with life. . . I have learned to see beyond the physical reality of this world to the spiritual reality. We tend to think, ‘Life should be fair because God is fair.’ But God is not life. And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life—by expecting constant health, for example—then I set myself up for a crashing disappointment. God’s existence, even his love for me, does not depend on my good health. Frankly, I’ve had more time and opportunity to work on my relationship with God during my impairment than before.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Douglas learned to successfully navigate disappointment when you don’t get what you want: to believe without seeing, to walk by faith and not by sight. Douglas knew that God is loving and powerful, even though his circumstances didn’t support this truth.
Some people think that trusting God as Douglas did, to believe without seeing, is foolish. “Blind faith,” they scoff. But isn’t faith often blind? If faith can see from beginning to end, if faith means that we understand all things like God, then faith is not faith at all.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I praise you that you are in control of all things that happen in my life. Help me to remember that nothing happens to me that isn’t filtered through your loving hands. Help me to see that difficult circumstances are my opportunity to get a new revelation of you, just like Philip did. Amen.Application
If you are walking through something difficult today, tell the Lord that you trust Him in spite of what you see in your circumstances. He hasn’t forgotten you.Related Reading
Hebrews 11:7; Hebrews 3:14; Jeremiah 31:3Post/Tweet today
Sometimes life isn’t fair, but with our life hidden in Christ we can trust Him. #WhenLifeIsn’tFair #Wisdom HuntersWorship Resource
4 minutes – Hillsong: One Thing Check out Boyd’s newest devotional book Two Minutes in the Bible for Men. Order now! If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help. Our free Apple app Our free Android app
