Monthly Archives: June 2017

Fear and Rest

Fear and Rest: a study on 2 Chronicles chapter 20

1It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. Continue reading Fear and Rest

Envy and Coveting and suffering

Envy and coveting and suffering

 

Have you ever, in a place of hardship, looked at another and envied or coveted their lack of trials or good health? It is easy to do, as if this type of coveting somehow belonged in a separate category than the usual ten commandment list of, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, ox, or donkey” (Exodus 20:17). Yet this verse catches us when it continues with “nor anything that is your neighbor’s” which would include your neighbor’s health and trial free life. So yes, coveting your neighbors lack of trials is still a sin that needs to be repented of. But, questions can remain like, “How can God lavish blessings on some and seem to overlook others, giving them hard things in their place?” Or “Why does He heal one person and not another, or give one person success yet another is hampered from reaching that potential due to illness or hardship?”

Whenever we have seemingly unanswered questions, it always helps to go back to what you do know. In Romans 8:28 and 8:31, it states that God is for us and not against us, that He works all things together for good for His children. Why? Because He is good.
Continue reading Envy and Coveting and suffering