Blame God

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.  Job 1:22

Talk show host Larry King listened as his guest, a well-known celebrity, told about her husband’s infidelity, her fight with cancer and her battle to stay financially solvent. “Did all of this shake your faith?” asked Larry. I am sure that most of his guests, telling of difficulties in life, would say, “Yes, God let me down.”

 Yet why are we so quick to blame God for everything? Should we take no credit for our own blunders, for evil in the world, for the fact that we live in a fallen world? 

At least one man knew that when trouble knocked at the door, God had not sent it. His name was Job. In a matter of days he lost his wealth, all but one of his children, his dignity and the respect of his wife. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart,” he cried, adding, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21).

His attitude gives us a model for handling difficulty when we are tempted to say, “God, where are You?” First, notice He acknowledged that God is sovereign and that what happens to us is “Father-filtered.” Though he didn’t understand, Job chose to trust God through his difficulties as he said, “May the name of the Lord be praised!”

It’s okay to cry out to the Lord and say, “God, I’m hurting. I don’t understand why You allowed this, but I throw myself on Your mercy. You are my refuge, strength and hope! Give me Your grace and strength to go through this dark hour, and bring me through it stronger, richer and with the certainty that You will never leave me nor forsake me.”

And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” Luke 1:46-52