Joanne Sher: Editor/Proofreader : Good and Bad

Welcome to the combined Monday Manna with Living By Grace (click here for this new Facebook community). The purpose of Monday Manna to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. Each Thursday, a Bible verse to ponder will be posted, either here or at my dear friend Vonnie's blog, My Back Door. The following Monday, those participating will post their thoughts on the verse at their own blogs and link up at the bottom of the post in the Mr. Linky gadget. The main purpose is to chew on the same Scripture and learn from one another.

AND now, we'll also be discussing the devotional - and thoughts about it - at Living By Grace.

And here's today's verse:

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. Ecclesiastes 7:14

Looking forward to your thoughts. Mine are below.

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We're fickle people - many of us, anyway. When things are going our way, we take the credit, but when life is bad, we blame God. Pretty ridiculous when you think about it, isn't it?

How often have you heard someone say "How can a loving God allow ________ ?" or "Why me? Why does the Lord allow all these things to happen to me?" We work hard. We do the best we can, but still businesses fail. Natural disasters come. Illness takes us by surprise. Random violence infiltrates our world, or even our homes. And we often wonder, if only for a moment, what we ever did to deserve such treatment from God.

Yet, when was the last time you questioned the GOOD things God sent your way? "How can a just God allow me, a sinner, to go to Heaven?" or "Why me? Why does the Lord shower blessings on a person who deserves nothing but condemnation?" We cheat. We steal. We covet. We put our own desires above others.' But still, the sun rises each day. We have food and clothing. We are loved. We are forgiven. We are saved from our sins.

We have every right to be happy when things go well, and be a bit down when they're not. But be sure, no matter your circumstances, to give credit where credit is due: to the Lord of the universe.

**

Thanks for reading. Be sure to link up below with your own thoughts. And come chat with ME about this post at Living by Grace.

Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

6 comments:

Terri TiffanyNovember 07, 2011
This verse means so much to me. I did have to learn it the hard way but am thankful for the journey.
Yvonne BlakeNovember 07, 2011
There is a lot in this verse. It will take a life time to truly comprehend it.
WandaNovember 07, 2011
Couldn't help but say ouch as I read your post, Joanne. Very well said.
Jennifer SlatteryNovember 07, 2011
Been thinking about this a lot lately. Right now I feel like God's opened numerous doors and provided me and my family with an abundance of blessings, but I remember a tough time in my life and all the fits I threw during that time. I want to think I learned my lesson, but that memory stays with me, making me wonder how I'll respond when the next bump hits. I pray often that God will keep my heart close to Him regardless of the circumstances--that I won't be a fair-weather Christian. Because I know another bump is coming. I only hope my love for Christ will overshadow the momentary hurdle.

Must say, each fit and resultant repentance only serves to remind me of the depths of His grace.
UnknownNovember 08, 2011
Great post, Joanne! And I'm standing guilty as charged! Yes, I've questioned God's goodness in my life when things have gotten extremely difficult. Thankfully, He's reminded me over and over again of His love. I'm grateful for His grace and realize I don't deserve any of it! Thanks for sharing this truth! God bless!
Jessica R. PatchNovember 09, 2011
Excellent perspective. I don't remember anywhere in the Bible God telling us to understand Him, but I do know the pages are covered with "Trust Me." :) Every good and perfect gift! Woohoo!