Thursday, March 20

Confidence in God is not fearing because bad things won’t happen. Confidence in God is not fearing even when bad things happen.

Oh, the apparent paradox of Christianity! On the one hand Jesus say’s, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” While on the other hand Jesus says, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it.”

Jesus the Son of God has been led into the desert to be tempted by the devil. So far after two rounds the devil has had absolutely no success. In desperation the devil throws a low but calculated blow. He says to Jesus, “If you’re the Son of God throw yourself down from here and lets see if God will protect you.” Did you catch the emphasis of this temptation? “If you’re the Son of God.” In essence the devil was saying, lets test God, let’s see if He really cares about you. Would God allow something bad to happen to you? After all, you are the “Son of God.”

I imagine Jesus’ thoughts fast forwarding to the cross, I can imagine Jesus thinking about the pain and suffering that He would have to endure. Peter would deny Him, Judas would betray Him, the rest of the disciples would abandon him, while the crowds chanted, “crucify him” all the way to the cross. But in spite of all the pain and suffering, Jesus understood that in order for Him to save others he would not be able to save himself. So, let me ask you a question: If God allowed his Son to endure all this pain and suffering to offer you and I salvation, don’t you think he will also allow us to go through pain and suffering in order to save us?

The devil say’s to Jesus: “Throw yourself and let’s see what happens”. Jesus answers, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” I love this answer, let me say it again, I love this answer. Jesus’ response in essence was to say to the devil, I don’t need to test God. If God say’s that He loves me, then He loves me. If God say’s that He is with me, then He is with me. And If God say’s that all things work together for the good of those who love Him, then even the injustice of the cross becomes a good thing. I don’t have to test God.
Oh, there is no paradox to Christianity! God loves you even when bad things happen. When you feel tempted to believe otherwise, remember Jesus being tempted in the desert then take a look at the empty cross.
Confidence in God is not fearing because bad things won’t happen. Confidence in God is not fearing even when bad things happen.

Bible reading
Luke 4:9-12 NIV

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Heavenly Father not only did you send your Son to save me, you also sent him to be a living example for me to follow. Let me live with the confidence that although bad things can and will happen in my life all of them work for my good because I love you. Help me not to test you by doubting your love for me even when I suffer and feel pain.