Messy. Sometimes, life can be messy despite our efforts to avoid all things messy. I’m so grateful the Lord isn’t intimidated by our messy lives and works through it.
God could have chosen an easier route for Joseph to rise to become governor. Still, He decided to take him through a massively messy process. God could have prevented Joseph’s brothers from mistreating him or caused Potipher’s wife to get caught trying to entice Joseph and shut down the lie she told that sent him to prison. It would have cut out a lot of drama in his life. But God has a way of weaving His will and purposes through the very difficult and downright ugly parts of life.
What if Jesus just decided not to pick Judas Iscariot to be one of the 12 disciples? There would have been no betrayal. But Jesus intentionally chose him to perform the job he needed to do (betray Jesus).
What if God didn’t let Hagar get pregnant? There wouldn’t have been an Ishmael to send away. Eliminate some drama by simply sending Joshua and Caleb to spy out the land; there wouldn’t be 10 spies afraid of giants. Just kill Pharoah instead of allowing him to further distress the already oppressed Israelites. There would be no need for the 10 plagues, the Red Sea drama, and the people complaining once they started the journey for Canaan. Just skip all of that. That’s what we want – avoid drama and messiness. But God’s way is not ours.
Two spies show up in Jericho and end up at a prostitute’s house, who secures their safety in exchange for the protection of herself and her family. Hmm, couldn’t God have sent them to a more reputable person who didn’t have such baggage? He could have, but God chose her.
No, there was no funny business going on. Rahab knew God was on the Israelites’ side. She also knew it was just a matter of time before they would destroy Jericho, and she was determined to save her family. She risked her life by hiding the spies and then asked them to spare her and her family when the Israelites returned to take Jericho. She and her family were spared. She ended up being King David’s great-grandmother and ultimately fell in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
We are not always privy to why God chooses to take us down difficult roads. But He is good enough to walk us through the mess and bring us to the other side. It’s comforting to know that even though segments of life may be quite messy, God doesn’t turn His nose up and walk away in disgust. He allows/causes situations, and although they might be messy, they will work out just as He planned from the beginning!
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. Matthew 26:20-25 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)