In good times and in bad times...

Many a times when I am baffled with life’s puzzles….or thrown into a web of confusion by my own mind, or in one of those disappointing moments when I wonder why this way and not the other way…..I often used to take the seemingly easiest route – questioning the Lord, with many whys and hows - (the easiest, but not the route advisable for a trusting servant)…. Why Lord, are You so silent when I need You the most….or do You love me anymore Lord….or even worse….God, how could You allow me to be in this situation… I am just a human and how am I supposed to know everything…but you are God, and You better act like one… (phew! Of course, trusting in God’s Godliness, but reminding Him that He is God and has great powers, in case He has forgotten)…. Just because He loves us so much and His compassion is everlasting, we unperturbedly question even our mighty God…because the bible says “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness - Psalm 86:15” (there lies our escape point…). Lord, how ungrateful can I be? But is this an ideal way for a true, trusting Christian to live? We have been called and COMMANDED to trust Him in all our situations, come what may! We have not been told to trust Him only in easy, happy occasions; but we have been instructed to trust Him with our storms as well as during the storms. Our faith is supposed to be unwavering; in hard times even stronger…like that of a true believer… like Psalm 27:5 “For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock”. That should be our faith regarding God's love and care for us.

Throughout the Bible, we see men and women of exemplary faith and obedience - Abraham, Job, Mary…to mention a few…who are perfect examples of true servants of the Lord…

Abraham never questioned his God, and was obedient even to the point of almost sacrificing his only son. And because of his obedience, we get our first share of great blessing (Genesis 22:15-18 …declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me"). Even in the midst of great suffering, Job remained loyal to God, and could accept His great wisdom and will (Job 13:15 – “Though he slays me, yet will I hope in him”). Mary believed in the goodness and wholeness of God’s plans, and was willing to be used for God’s glory even at the risk of being scoffed at. Remember, no one believed her initially. Yet she had the grace to tell Angel Gabriel - "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" – Luke 1:38. Jesus himself showed us how we should be during times of trials… Though the devil tried his best, our Lord refused to test God Almighty and His words (Mathew 4:7 – “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”). Jesus was sure that the one who promised is faithful (forever). There could be many times when he hasn’t answered my prayers, or has chosen to remain silent despite my unsuccessful supplications and pleas...but there are infinite times He has done wonderful things to let me know that I am precious to Him.. How can I forget the times He has held me close… the times He chose to answer my questions (however silly it is) in ways that I can understand….the day when I sat in the church and looked up to Him with a tear or two and asked Him to promise me that He still loves me…and He did ensure that the choir chose the song – “this is the promise of love”, and that too “sent from the savior above”….. or the days when I am so dejected and rejected and cry out to my Lord, and as I come out, there will be an email awaiting me saying “No matter what others say and do, your heavenly Father promises never to leave you nor forsake you”……and so on… We all have many instances like this, instances which we can use as future “reference points”….those moments when our God has shown us that we are actually very important to Him, and that He is in control always…and that He will never forsake us…Reference points, not for His sake, but for our sake - He doesn’t have any doubts in His love for us, only we ask for assurances…. which of course leaves me with no other questions, but the ultimate truth that He has never forgotten that He is God; but I am the one who needs to be reminded not just that He is God, but that He is MY God...in good times and in bad times...my God of all times....

Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God my father There is no shadow of turning with thee Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not As thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Lamentations 3:21-23 “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”