As humans, we often wonder why God does the things that He does. And we often question the manner in which He does them. This is a question I get asked a lot… “James, why did God do this? Why did He do it this way, when it would’ve been so much easier like that instead?”
So since this is a very common question, I am gong to answer it today directly from scripture. If this was just my opinion or comments, it would not mean much, but since it is from scripture it is straight from God, and I believe this message will bless and free many of you today.
Let’s not waste any time and get right into the Word… Isaiah 55:7-13:
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So will my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills will break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn will come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier will come up the myrtle tree: and it will be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off. ”
Now verse 8 is usually mis-quoted and corrupted as a back-handed slap against God when something bad happens. If you get a flat-tire, your friend may tell you “well God’s ways are higher than our ways.”
The people who say this have good intentions, I am sure that they really do mean well. Yet to truly understand this verse we must read in in its context. Look at the verse we have just read… we can see that the wicked are instructed to leave their wicked thoughts and ways; to forsake them for something better: God’s thoughts and ways. For (or because) God’s thoughts and ways are higher (or better) than the thoughts and ways of the wicked. And then the following verses proceed to shows us a small glimpse into the thoughts and ways of God. What then do we see? Blessing upon blessing.
Does this seem to good to be true? Then let’s verify and confirm it with another scripture… Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
This promise is just as much for us today as it was for the Israelites of the Biblical times. Why? Because in Christ, we as believers have been grafted in to the same root of God’s blessings and provision (Romans 11:17-20). Furthermore, His Word is everlasting and never fades away or becomes ineffectual.
So now we have established that God desires good for us and not evil, blessing and not cursing. Why then does God do certain things the way that He does them? To answer that, let’s ask a similar question of some Bible accounts from history… Why did God cause David to use a sling and stones to defeat Goliath? If we reason in our minds, God could’ve caused Goliath to simply drop-dead without David even being involved at all. It certainly would’ve been easier!
Why did God cause Noah to build an Ark instead of supernaturally protecting him and all the passengers and just kill the rest instantly? It would’ve saved Noah a lot of trouble!
The answer to all of these questions is the same: God’s wisdom and His mercy.
To understand His wisdom, we must understand that everything He does and says is manifold. This simply means that it is multi-layered. He does and says things that have multiple parts and elements to them. We as humans typically only see or care about one part of His action: that being the thing which we want Him to do for us… and if His word promises it, surely He will do it; but He will do it in such a way that it will also bring about blessings for as many people as possible, not just us. And this is where many believers fail to understand.
You see my friends, God could take what would seem like the easier path, but that path is not always the perfect path.
God loves everyone equally, and He gives everyone an equal chance to accept Him and to show them His goodness and mercy. If Goliath had simply dropped-dead without David, then David would’ve never been honored and never would’ve become king, and entire nations of people would’ve been affected.
If Noah never had to build the Ark, then a city would’ve lost its chances to repent before the flood waters came.
Are you starting to see? Because God loves everyone equally, He often uses situations to create interactions which allow for more people to receive the Gospel, so that more can be saved.
Now I’m not saying that He causes difficult situations — but He does use every situation, if we would only let Him.
The bottom line is that God can use any way to accomplish His Word and promises. It is not our place to question how or why, only to believe that His Word never fails. His promises are always true, even in situations that look utterly hopeless. If it looks as though He is not taking the most direct path, don’t question Him or complain, simply trust that He is God and that He loves you. He will never fail to fulfill is promises to you regardless of how it may seem at the moment.
“But James, you don’t understand, I don’t like what I’m going through.”
I don’t need to understand, God understands. He sees everything that’s going on. Most people get more stressed than they should because deep down in their heart they think that God has forgotten them or somehow He does not see what is happening.
In reality though, God has not forgotten, nor does He fail to see. Whatever you are going through, it may not be from God, but He is using it and turning it around, both for His glory and for yours. Trust Him, believe what His Word says. You will not be ashamed in the end.