GOD IS JUST!
- Key Verse
- "All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right." 2 Thessalonians 1:6
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Faith in God’s justice enables perseverance and brings glory to Jesus.
Reflections
Do you find yourself looking enviously at others’ situations, wondering "why not me"? I submitted my life to Jesus late in life. Needless to say, before Christ, I did things of which I’m not proud. Sometimes my mind erroneously wonders if God is punishing me. I’m not married nor have children. I never imagined I would enter my 40s without either. I watch as others with similar pasts receive these blessings. I’ve watched others obtain these treasures by means outside the parameters of Godly living. I want to scream, “UNFAIR!!!”It is only my faith in God’s justice that yields peace. After all, it is through His system of justice that I received His grace the moment I trusted my Savior. My past erased, God counts me worthy because my faith in Jesus makes me transparent. So when God looks at me, He sees only the worthiness of Jesus standing behind me.
Certainly I can’t compare my situation with the Thessalonians, yet faith and perseverance is the “all this” of verse 6 – faith that God’s promises are worth the loss of personal desires and comforts. The Thessalonians persevered because they had faith that God, in His justice, through His grace, would reward them with eternal life.
Near where I live in France is a museum dedicated to women who were sentenced for life in the Tower of Constance. There you find names of over 130 women who could have been freed at any point had they renounced their Protestant faith. Marie Durand, imprisoned at age 15, held tenaciously to Jesus for 38 years without recanting.
Her perseverance gave witness to God’s justice (1:5). She believed emphatically that an unfair life is a small burden to bear in contrast to eternal rewards (1:7). She knew her worthiness came only through Jesus (1:5,8,10,11) and though she was shut out from the world for 38 years, it was far better than being shut out from God’s presence eternally (1:9). God’s power enabled her to fulfill her purpose (1:11) in order that “all this” would bring glory to Jesus (1:12).
Discussion Questions
- Do you have enough faith to persevere like Marie Durand or the Thessalonians? Do you have the tenaciousness and conviction to hang on even if everything is taken from you? Maybe this looks like being out of work, losing a child to illness, or having false accusations destroy your reputation. Our society is not geared for sacrifice in a world of instant gratification and few limits to our freedom … at least for now. The work we neglect in a time of prosperity will have to be done under great trial and peril. What costs us little now, will someday cost us our very lives. Do you value your freedom by using your time and spending your resources to further His work?
- How do you value worthiness? How do you value yourself and others as a worthy person? When you reflect back on your actions in a day, do you see yourself or do you see Christ?
- In your life, what makes you scream “UNFAIR!!”? Can you turn that over to God by trusting in His goodness and sovereignty?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of .
Richard Ford
April 1, 2010 06:54 AM
Dear Linda, The Lord blessed me through your transparent "journey" more than any other I've read over the last three years. Thank you!
Mitzi
April 1, 2010 07:11 AM
Your life is an ispiration. Thanks for writing such a thought-provoking devo and for having an influence on our church family from across the ocean!
Gary Brandenburg
April 1, 2010 09:01 AM
Wow! What an insightful, instpirational, biblically-based, well-written devotional! Thanks Linda. I pray that "God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thes. 1:11-12 When the enemy attacks remember the words of Marie Durand, "RESISTER!"
Lisa Robinson
April 1, 2010 09:16 AM
Linda, this post is barking up my alley big time. Thank you for your encouragement and authenticity. I have cried "unfair" more times than I care to count. But through it, God is working out something far greater for his purpose and his glory. I pray that the Lord continue to use you mightily.
Kerin Dippel
April 1, 2010 08:54 PM
When I have to wait with unfulfilled desires is when I most often tend to cry "unfair". Thank you for the poignant reminder that "faith that God’s promises are worth the loss of personal desires and comforts" is what is really true.
Linda Knox
April 1, 2010 10:36 PM
Linda - What a great message. Yes, I have screamed unfair over some things that I now understand God withheld as being best for me and most glorifying to Him. Thank you for being honest enough to share this.
david
April 2, 2010 04:28 AM
Did I need to hear that this morning! Now that I've surrendered to our Lord I offen wonder and get anxious about what He wants for my life. I at times think it's "unfair" the way my life has gone. Thanks for sharing, it has insipered me to today. It's a awesome reminder that His ways are not my ways! Thanks be to God!!!