I have been struggling with something for quite a while now. I'd call it a frustration but it's really more than that. It's a deep sadness, as well as that feeling of being frustrated.
It has to do with "the world" in which we live. For example, the evening "news." But I have pretty much given up on that. Social media is another source of frustration and sadness. So, I try to keep my interaction on that platform to a minimum as well. Apparently, King David had similar feelings.
Amen, my brother! Why, indeed! It's very easy to get frustrated and downcast. But that's because we are focusing on the wrong things. We should be focusing on God instead of the things of this world. The second half of that very same verse above goes like this:
"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 43:5
Same verse, in two dramatically different parts. The verse contains both a question AND the answer.
The more we read the Bible, the more we understand just what God's will is. And that changes us. At least is should.
I've read the Bible 18 or 19 times now. I am still being changed by it. Knowledge keeps increasing, but I will never "know it all," much less understand it all. That's called sanctification.
What frustrates me is that "Christians", who say they believe in God, do not do what He tells them to. I'm guilty of this as well. It's like reading a 65mph speed limit sign and then doing 120 into town to get milk. That's called disobedience.
And that brings me to the sad part. By reading the Bible, we can get a pretty good idea who will and won't be going to heaven. I'm not judging here, I'm just reading, and writing. For example, what do you think this means? Remember, Paul is writing to a church.
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Here's some advice from God through the prophet Ezekiel.
"I take no pleasure in the death of anyone. Repent and live." - Ezekiel 18
We need to stop doing what displeases God and start doing what we wants us to do. That's simply called obedience.
We need to spend a little more time thinking about what is pleasing in the eyes of God, rather than satisfying our OWN desires our what "feels good" in our own hearts.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
If we disagree with what the Bible says, who do you think is right or wrong? Us, or God? The born sinner? Or the Righteous One?
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments." - John 14:15
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