Wednesday, March 28, 2012

What Has God Ever Done For Me?

by Aleta Kay

          I often hear this question from people who have suffered a tragic loss: the death of a child or spouse; a lingering, debilitating illness; or the loss of home due to weather or loss of job.    
          I understand the grief (I have suffered the loss of both of my parents and younger brother), but it is important to recognize that all people suffer and have problems. Your neighbor may seem to be living in full ease and enjoyment of life but that doesn’t mean he has never had a problem.
          The Bible tells us that it is appointed unto a man once to die. Everyone at some point in their lives will lose a loved one, and it will not always be an older person. Since none of us knows how many days are allotted to us, it is imperative that we make our preparations to meet our maker. And if we are prepared to meet Him, we will be in a better place anyway. This world is not getting better; it is getting worse by the day as we see more and more children committing heinous crimes. Lawlessness is increasing. Our government is slowly legislating away our rights. The world in general is seeing more and more natural disasters, more devastation.
          The Bible, God’s holy Word, teaches us that all of these things will come to pass. Everything it has predicted would happen until now has happened, and more prophecy is being fulfilled, it seems, almost on a monthly basis.
          If God is so good why does He let these things happen? First of all because He knows man is stubborn and will only turn to God when man thinks he needs God. When things are good we ignore Him. God wants our fellowship. After all, He created us. Secondly, He wants us to know we need Him. He wants us to ask Him for help. He delights in doing things for us and in helping us through our struggles. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Though family and friends turn their backs on us, God never does. Finally, He allows us to go through these things to make us stronger so we can help others who are struggling. We are here to help and encourage each other. We are here to warn people of darker days coming and assure them that, if they put their faith and trust in Christ Jesus, the life after this one is far better than anything we can imagine. This life is temporary. This body is temporary. The bodies we get after this life will either be fit for hell and eternal torment, or fit for heaven where there is no more pain or heartache.
          Why would you, or anyone, feel that you should be exempt from suffering and death? Why should you be different from everyone else? What has God done for you? He loved you so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to take your punishment for sin upon Himself, suffer more than any human being has ever done, and die on a cruel cross. But the story doesn’t end there. He rose again that He might conquer death, hell and the grave. Because He lives we also can live eternally with Him, or without Him. He even loved us enough to let us choose. God doesn’t send people to hell. He simply speaks the sentence that we have passed upon ourselves. Heaven is available to all who will be believe.
          If you have suffered a loss, turn to God. Give Him your heartache. He wants to comfort you and strengthen you. He wants to help you through this. The Bible says God stores our tears in a bottle. Just as Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem; just as He wept over the tomb of Lazarus because of the grief of his sisters, Mary and Martha, so He weeps with you. Give Him a chance. It will take time, but joy will come again. Just get through this day. Tomorrow will take care of itself.


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