Lilies of the Field

When your world seems to be falling apart, do you know where to run? Some people run to other people, to drugs, to alcohol, or to a multitude of other things. Where we run says a lot about who we are and to whom we belong. When we were children, most of us ran to the ones we most trusted—our parents. But what about when we are all grown up?   Nothing will rock your world like the death of a child. When my daughter was killed in an automobile accident just days before her 17 th birthday, I was admittedly straying from the Lord. I did not immediately run to the Lord for help. In fact, I sat numb on the sofa all night waiting for the light of day to dawn, not only outside, but in my own heart. When the morning sun arose on that bright May 4 th morning, I was facing the bookcase that guarded all my dusty ‘treasures’ which had sat untouched for many months. As if calling me to themselves, I began opening devotionals one after the other looking for any strands of hope that would settle...

Why do the wicked prosper? Where is God when the wicked prosper? Inquiring minds want to know…minds of people like Jeremiah, Job, and David—and you and me.   Jeremiah wants a hearing to plead his case and to discuss matters of justice with the Judge of all judges. Jeremiah 12:1b— Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? Job (21:7) questions God to understand why the wicked live long lives only to increase in power. Last, but not least, the psalmist honestly expressed his envy seeing the prosperity of the wicked—even questioning whether living righteously was worth the trouble. Aren’t we glad that we can read and are able to then relate to the honesty of these men as they bring their concerns before the Lord?   Where is God when the wicked prosper? The simple answer is: He is on His throne ruling over His whole creation. For the believer asking these questions, we can’t stop there. We must then ask ourselves why we are tempted to envy the w...