I generally wake up with a song running through my head. This morning was no exception. This song is a fairly well known one and I’ve heard it sung for years in churches. However, well we like it what do the words mean? How can they help us?
Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long;
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.
Have you ever asked, “why me?” I know I’ve wondered when going through hard times why am I going through this time. We don’t know always why we suffer here on earth and the chorus of this verse explains that farther along we’ll understand why. I always thought that meant heaven but I honestly believe the troubles of this world will not follow us to heaven which means memories, too. I think God “will wipe away tears from off all faces…” (Isaiah 25:8) If He is doing this then we won’t be remembering life on earth. But, think of the farther along as farther down the path of life.
Farther along we’ll know more about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
Going through that trial that leaves you wondering “why me” might have a reason to it. James told us in chapter 1 and verse 2, “…the trying of your faith worketh patience.” Maybe God has seen that we need a lesson in patience. It might be that we are living in an ungodly manner that brings the trial on. This may serve to bring our sin into light so that we might correct our lives, confessing our sin and repenting.
No matter the trial, no matter if we ever see the reason for it and understand it there is One Who knows and walks with us.
He knows every good and difficult step we have to take. God understands the whys so we don’t have to. Isn’t it wonderful that in living by faith, we know we have a Savior Who is walking with us. We don’t have to have explanations for all our sufferings, we just need to have faith in the One Who is walking beside us.
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 22:21 is a beautiful reminder that maybe instead of wondering why the trial, we need to get closer to God. What a beautiful verse from a book that tells of the horrible sufferings of Job. Acquaint – get to know – Him Who can bring peace even in the trial.
It isn’t wrong to look back on a trial and think, oh this is what I’ve learned in it. It’s alright to praise Him for bringing you through. I think it’s a wonderful thing to worship God in the midst of trials. But just don’t question His leading when you’re in the midst of it and even if no understanding comes, rest in Him.
He knows the way that we take. God’s Word will guide us as we walk this path.