We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”. 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 (NIV)
Everything God allows is purposeful and good in the lives of His children – whether we can fully understand that or not. He is never random or happenstance. He has a plan and it is one filled with hope and a future for us. And one, I might add, a plan which we are not even able to conceive. Isaiah describes it as such in Isaiah 64:4 (NIV): “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Remember, nothing is deserved and everything should be received with contentment – even the hard – because there is purpose behind it. There is always purpose behind whatever He allows. Murmuring and discontent are not a pleasing aroma to God rather the “sacrifice of praise” is. God uses everything in the lives of His children to grow them up in Jesus, Who was to be the firstborn among many brothers. And, believe me, we want that as well. We can trust Him.
God in all His love and wisdom knows for certain what portion is best for us – as well as when to give and when to hold back. It is the Shepherd not the sheep that chooses the best pasture. We think we know what is best for our lives and for the lives of all we hold dear but Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV): “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” We must learn the secret of being content in any and every situation through Christ who gives us strength. Our happiness does not lie in our abundance rather in our contentment. Our spiritual miseries flow from wanting what we don’t have or having what we don’t want. T. W. Hunt states: “We need to get our ‘wanters’ fixed.” We are to want what God wants for us as it is always, always for our very best. We can trust Him with our lives and the lives of all we hold near and dear.
“Then Job replied to the LORD: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’ You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.’ You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ ‘My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.’” Job 42:1-6 (NIV)