Perplexed Meets Faith

Some days I shake my head and think, “I do not understand.”

I can’t comprehend the evil in this world or the deceit that is spouted as truth. I can’t wrap my head around people’s motivation to hurt others or destroy beautiful things.  I don’t understand how someone can take joy in another’s sorrow.  The hostility is discouraging, and I am perplexed.

And then I remember.

Paul was perplexed, too.

Check out the verses in 2 Corinthians 4:6 – 10.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”  (KJV)

As I read those verses, I think about God causing the light to shine out of darkness. When all was black, He created Light. He did the same thing in my heart when Jesus Christ redeemed me. He turned the darkness in my heart to Light.

The only reason that I can see the deceit and the hurt and the hostility while the ones who are perpetuating it can’t is because of God’s Light in my heart. He has given me this treasure in the earthen vessel of my human body. Not because I’m someone special, but because He is God and His power has redeemed me.

Today, God’s children are troubled on every side, but we need not be distressed because His peace is readily available to us (John 16:33). We are perplexed in this world that has gone awry from the plans of the Father, but we don’t have to despair since we can rejoice in the hope that God gives us, and we can take our cares to Him in prayer (Romans 12:12). We are persecuted when we stand against the evil that is so prevalent in this world, but He does not forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). And there are days that our souls are struck down, but God has promised that we will not be destroyed (Romans 8:36 – 37).

A child of God still has much for which to rejoice in this life.

It is His Light and His power, and I’m gonna let it shine!

Even when I am perplexed.

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;¹⁶ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain” (Philippians 2:15 – 16, KJV).

Father, I admit to being perplexed more often than not. It’s why I turn off the news more often than not. I find that Your word is more relevant to my life than the words that are spouted so glibly through the media. But I still live in this world, and I am accountable for my witness here, so, Father, help me to keep my lamp burning brightly for You. Keep me from becoming sarcastic and bitter about the darkness. Keep my heart tender, even when it hurts. Help me remember that Your love trumps it all and Your light pierces the darkest night and the hardest heart. You are a good Father, and You still love today just as You did in Jesus’ day. I don’t want to forget that. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Photo – Evening Rainbow of Promise, Eddy Mims