For years I've wondered something about the way God works. Now first, let's work around the fact that we aren't always meant to understand God's ways; that's another discussion. But I've always wondered why He doesn't reveal Himself to those seeking Him in an obviously supernatural, benevolent way, to reassure us during trials of faith.
The clear answer behind this is the abundance of examples given in the Bible, during which times God's hand was supernaturally obvious, and yet the people were still unfathomably faithless. There is no one passage for this, because that's basically the theme of humanity throughout the Bible and history itself.
The primary example that comes to mind is all that befell the nation of Israel throughout the entire Old Testament. My thoughts begin in Exodus, with their enslavement and subsequent liberation that could have been nothing but God's work. Plagues of the nature and magnitude shown don't just happen. There could be no doubt in anyone's mind that ours is the one true God.
Yet, two things we see.
The first, and smaller to scale, is the repetitive reaction of Pharaoh. Despite seeing things progressively more supernatural, things that could not be explained but by the hand of an all-powerful God, still his heart was hardened. It wasn't until after the people had suffered ten plagues, his staff had acknowledged God's sovereignty, God had answered a plea on his behalf, he had claimed repentance (but apparently wasn't genuine), and he had lost his own firstborn (along with everyone else's throughout Egypt), that he finally relented to God's will. And even then, he still went back on his word. These actions can't be justified by saying that Pharaoh didn't believe that God is almighty and worthy of his worship and obedience. Pharaoh's was a simple rebellion against what he must have known to be right all along, but had too much pride to truly repent and make amends.
The second, on a much broader scale, is the redundant theme of faithlessness from the Israelites. Time and time again we catch glimpses of them worshiping other gods, even as soon as right after their liberation from Egypt, and pretty much onward from there. Meanwhile, all throughout the Old Testament, we also continue to see undisguised acts of God. But again, these miracles did nothing to make the people more faithful.
Speaking from firsthand experience, I've been forced to acknowledge God's work, because some things just can't be chalked up to coincidence or imagination. Therefore, intellectually, I know and believe that God is there, almighty, and worthy of our full devotion. Yet, a cheerful, joyful, eager servant has never been a descriptor I would use for myself (though rest assured, I want to be that).
From these examples, it's clear that knowledge of God's will and willingness to lovingly do it are two separate entities.
Now, finally, let's observe a modern-day relational dynamic: that of a parent and child. All too often I've seen the effects of bad parenting manifesting as not enough discipline. The consequences are twofold. One, the child becomes spoiled and self-centered and develops a sense of entitlement. Two, the child has no respect for the authority of the parent, or anyone, for that matter.
As followers of Christ, we are God's children. And as our Father, He knows best how to parent us. Discipline is necessary when there's an impurity in our hearts, and sometimes our hearts require a complete overhaul. The process in such a crucible is neither short nor painless. The change wouldn't happen if God just proceeded to dote on us; we would remain spoiled and rebellious in our hearts, even if we were "following the rules."
My conclusion is that hardship, which is permitted by God, is not intended to be just incentive to change our ways, on account of knowing that they're the consequences for misdeeds. These trials are intended for so much more: to cultivate our hearts, so that they will produce fruits of the spirit. This is something that can't be rushed, because the faithful, loving relationship between us and Him is shaped, over time, by this discipline.
It's encouraging for me to know, on a personal level, that God's work in my life will not be fruitless; that the peace and joy in Christ that I long for is part of what He has in store for me.
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