Forest for the Trees
“…FOR IT WAS A TURN OF EVENTS FROM THE LORD, THAT HE MIGHT ESTABLISH HIS WORD…”
There is so much in this life that makes me cast my eyes toward heaven and ask “why”. Here are few “whys” I have been pondering of late…
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Why does my friend Bridgett have pancreatic cancer?
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Why did a precious mom of 5 children die suddenly in our community?
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Why did innocent children die in an elementary school struck by a tornado in Moore, OK?
It seems a little patronizing to say “God will get glory from it somehow”, although I know He will. The truth I found hidden in 1 Kings 12:15 brings me so much personal comfort…”for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word…”
This statement was given in relation to King Rehoboam rejecting sound advice given to him by the elders of Israel. As crazy as Rehoboam was for rejecting their counsel, it was still part of God’s greater plan.
I see this pattern in other places in the Bible too, like in Esther’s story. Here is an orphaned young girl placed in the care of her uncle. Then she is paraded in a beauty pagaent and became part of King Ahasuerus’ harem. But that famous phrase in Esther 4:14 rings out…”for such a time as this”.
The divine perspective is something we struggle with using mortal eyes. It reminds me of that old saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” We can’t always see how God is moving in the lives of people – even through tragedies – to establish His Word with our fleshly eyes.
Think of Jesus Himself. The disciples could not believe their Teacher was being crucified, even though He had told them all along He would lay down His life like a sacrificial lamb. In the midst of the horrible crucifixion, they had lost sight of the ultimate purpose of the tragedy – in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10
In the midst of your pain and suffering, have you lost sight of the forest because of the tree right in front of you? The ability to see beyond the obstacle right in front of us lies within us, but we have to be using our supernatural vision to see past it. No – not like superman’s supernatural vision. But rather, seeing the bigger picture with a divine perspective.
So when you are feeling stuck, just remember God can see the forest AND the individual trees. He hasn’t forgotten where you are in your life circumstances…just stick with Him and ask for some divine vision. He is carefully moving all of the pieces of your life to create a masterpiece!
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us…Romans 8:18
