Ever look at something that happened in your life and say, “Really, God? Why???” If only this…..then that? You go over and over things in your mind but there isn’t a logical solution no matter how hard you try to find one.
And you are just stuck with the question – WHY???
I look at the story of the wise men the same way (Matthew 2). Who were they and why did they come?
They weren’t Jews. They may have been from Babylon. Not all the Israelites returned to the Promised Land after the exile was over. Some stayed. Maybe they heard the prophecies of Messiah from them. Maybe there were scrolls of the prophecies left behind and they studied them.
No one knows for sure why they came except they saw a star and were compelled to follow it to worship Jesus.
It’s a sweet story, right? They come to His house and bow down to Him in honor. They bestow precious gifts on Him signifying who He was and what He would do. It should have been just another sweet, warm-fuzzy part of the Christmas story.
Except it wasn’t.
Their visit stirred up such fear and anger in Herod that it sparked a mass murder of all baby boys under 2 years old, bringing about a time of grief and anguish beyond comprehension.
And that is the part of this story that I look at and say, “Really, God? Why???” (I bet all those mamas were wondering the same thing!)
Why???
Why did they have to come. In the midst of peace on earth and goodwill to men, why did something so wonderful and honoring of Jesus unleash such rage and death? If only they had stayed away. If only they hadn’t talked to Herod, he would never have known. If only….why….questions….
There are things that happen in life that we don’t understand. That we’ll never understand. No matter how many different ways we look at it.
We’re going to be faced with situations that try to shake our faith and cause us to run away from God. Things that shake our trust to the core. Things that make us question, “Where were You? Why???”
I’ve walked through some pretty horrific things….but THROUGH is the key word here.
We may not understand all the WHY’S….but we can hold on to the One that knows the end from the beginning, draw on His grace and strength and comfort, and allow Him to lead us THROUGH those things to healing.
Don’t let it shake your trust in who He is and what He’ll do for you in the future. He is still here…still with you. He has never left. Run to Him….He will bring you through!
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:1-2)