Devo sharing - WHY NOT?

Hey! Would like to share a simple devotion that struck me as I did my Quiet Time with God this morning.

Many times people, when encountering a difficult situation or battling some issues with God, ask this question: WHY GOD, WHY?

Then I discovered today, the question was WHY NOT? Why not go through the painful situation? Why not battle that I-dunno-what-I’m-doing-here-anymore thoughts in your head? Why not go through pain so that we can learn from pain?

Too many times we’ve heard people say that God puts us through situations/problems to mould us and shape us. It’s as though that’s the BIG excuse we give God when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want it to be.

Personally I do believe that God has placed obstacles in my life to help me learn and strengthen me. And my devotion today helped me see how true it is.

MATTHEW 26:47-56

Jesus Arrested
47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

50Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."[a] Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

55At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.


In the above verse, Jesus knew he was going to be arrested and go through the crucifixion. And die that way so that He may redeem us. He knew that if He called on His Father, supernatural things could possibly take place to rescue Him out of that situation.
However, He didn’t do that. Becoz He knew that was not the purpose God has intended.

When we battle problems, sometimes we hope and pray for something supernatural to happen. When it doesn't, we question God. Coz we do not know what God’s purpose for us is. And the difference between Jesus and us, is that He knew. His purpose was to “take up the cross”and go through the pain knowing that it was for the greater good.

If we have the perspective that God does have a purpose (maybe not as death-defining as Jesus’s) for whatever we’re going through, it would help us to see situations the way Jesus saw His.

So yea guys, chin up, look up, and know that there’s always a rhyme & reason for things happening in our lives (good & bad). It’s a lesson of trust and knowing our purpose to walk the off-beaten road with the Teacher who doesn’t just teaches in classroom settings.

Just a little reflection from me... Happy Lunar New Year!