May This Never Be
And yet, my last few months could seem like a walk in the park compared to other people’s situation.
Reference: v.16b When the people heard this, they said, “May this never be!” (NIV Bible)
Explore: Just recently I have been through a tough patch in my life. Having just left a job – which I felt I had poured my heart into for two and a half years – I then turned around to help my family nurse my father until he passed away. It was one thing to let go of a career that I loved but for me to lose someone I adored, who was such a stronghold for my faith, is beyond words. Needless to say I have recently shed many tears. And yet, my last few months could seem like a walk in the park compared to other people’s situation. Today I heard of a lady who had been raped when she was young and didn’t know she had conceived during this horrendous ordeal until 12 hours before she gave birth. Another friend of mine is going through an incredibly messy marriage break-up and each day seems to bring her more heartache and pain. Wherever you go and whoever you speak to, there is a story of suffering. We live in hope that it wont happen to us, or to those we love, and yet we all experience pain at some stage.
Application: The comforting thing about God is that He understands our pain. I can’t imagine the suffering that God experienced when He saw what His creation did to His only begotten Son. When Jesus foretold a similar story to a crowd of people they gasped and said, “May this never be!” And yet it did happen, and our sin is responsible. But God does not make us feel guilty; when we are suffering Jesus does not say to us, ‘Now you know how I felt.’ No, when we are suffering and in pain, God draws close to us, He wraps His arms around us and says, ‘I understand’. We all experience heartache and pain. When it does happen, may we recognise the gracious arms of our Saviour and hear His loving voice whisper to us, “I understand.”
Prayer: Lord, we are often so good at covering up our hurts and grief. May we open up our hearts to You to experience Your neverending love. Amen.
What pain are you experiencing at the moment?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.