What To Do When You Don't Understand God's Ways

The God of all creation is so great and so far beyond our comprehension that at times His ways are frustrating to the world and sometimes to even those who walk with Him daily (remember the disciple's questions). You often hear people say, "Why did God do this and why did God do that? Why did God allow this? Why did God not intervene? Why does God seem to be silent during my trial? Why can't I feel His presence? Why can't I see Him working? Why is He not hearing my prayers?  

Well, here is part of the problem: A fallible human trying to understand God is like an ant trying to learn the workings of a computer and the internet, but even that does not describe the vast distance that is between our knowledge and the knowledge of God. And furthermore, God the Creator, cannot even be described in one word -- other than "Indescribable". The more we think upon these things the larger the gulf between us and God seems.

But, I tell you, God is well aware that we are limited in our thought processes because He is the One who created us. He knows our frailties and our limitations. He knows that we are created beings who have no concept of eternity and His plans seem so far from our grasp.

But, God is sympathetic to our plight. Even His great love for us is far above what we can know, but because of that great love He made a way for us to gain some insight into His character. Through His precious Word (that He promised to preserve for us) we can get understanding of His ways and answers to why we are here and what our purpose is. But, even through His Word, we will still not totally understand. He gives us what we can grasp and no more. The rest we will understand when we see Him face to face.

Then, what are we to do with what we don't understand? That, my friend, is when faith comes into play.  In Hebrews 11:1, the Bibles says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." 

Martin G. Collins writes: Faith is the confidence we have in possessing the things we hope for because of the promises of God. Faithfulness is adhering unswervingly to God and His covenant. To be faithful we need to be loyal (steadfastly affectionate and allegiant to God), conscientious (scrupulous in doing God's will), dedicated (zealously devoted to God), and truthful (true to God's Word and standard of righteousness).

John W. Ritenbaugh states: In the phrase "faith is the substance of things hoped for," Paul is not really defining what faith is, but rather he is showing what faith does in an operative sense: Faith undergirds what we hope for. Substance means "that which stands under." Faith is the foundation for what we hope, the foundation for our relationship with God and everything that it implies within His purpose. Faith is the very beginning of everything that really matters spiritually.

By saying that it is the "evidence" or "assurance" (the word can literally be translated "title deed," but "assurance" seems to be the best all-around word) of things hoped for, the author comes much closer to defining what faith is. In its simplest form, faith is merely "belief". As our understanding becomes more complex and operative, when we begin to put faith to work, it becomes "confidence," and finally, in its best form, when it becomes fully operational, it is "trust." This trust, this full measure of faith, is alive and works within our relationship with God. 

Faith is the very foundation of who and what we are in our standing in Christ Jesus. We cannot even enter into a relationship with the Lord much less walk even one step farther with Him without it. That's why Paul says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) God recognizes our faith, and when He does, He goes on to do great and mighty things through us. And by faith, the more we want to know about God the more He will reveal and the larger and more precious our faith will grow.

I know it's been said many times, but we MUST trust our Savior, just as a little child must trust a parent to know and do what's best for them -- because they do not have the capacity to understand the perils that can befall them in this life and they cannot yet completely comprehend the difference between right and wrong, good and bad.

So, what to do when we don't understand.....TRUST! Trust God and trust His Word! 

Here are some verses for you to meditate on. Better yet, memorize them, and hide them in your heart and the Holy Spirit will recall them to your mind to soothe and calm your fears and to help your faith in God soar to new heights.

Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Jeremiah 33:3, Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Romans 8:31, What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

Romans 8:35-37, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 

Psalm 34:19, Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 55:22, Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Hosea 6:3, Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Psalm 18:30, As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 

Hebrews 10:23, Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.

Jeremiah 32:40, And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Psalm 138:8, The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

1 Peter 4:12-13, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

May God bless you today over and above what you are able to receive! 

For His Glory, 

The Princess Warrior 

Copyright Information Copyright © 2009 The Princess Warrior Ministries. All articles are copyrighted on the date they are posted, unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright and web address. Other uses require written permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the King James Bible.