Greetings!

Why?

A question that we have all asked.
A question asked through the ages whenever we are faced with pain, grief, hardship and yes, anger.

Our reading this week was Psalm 73.
The Psalmist is asking the question "why", and provides the true answer to it.

But wait, what was the answer you ask...

Psalm 73

1 God is indeed good to Israel,
to those who have pure hearts.
2 But I had nearly lost confidence;
my faith was almost gone
3 because I was jealous of the proud
when I saw that things go well for the wicked.

Please note that the body of believers is Israel

4 They do not suffer pain;
they are strong and healthy.
5 They do not suffer as other people do;
they do not have the troubles that others have.
6 And so they wear pride like a necklace
and violence like a robe;
7 their hearts pour out evil,
and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8 They laugh at other people and speak of evil things;
they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9 They speak evil of God in heaven
and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10 so that even God's people turn to them
and eagerly believe whatever they say.

Am I the only one or do those who push abortion, homosexual privilege and evolution come to your mind?

11 They say, “God will not know;
the Most High will not find out.”
12 That is what the wicked are like.
They have plenty and are always getting more.

Remember, it is the fool who says in his heart there is no God...

13 Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure
and have not committed sin?

Our Heavenly Father sees what is done in secret.

14 O God, you have made me suffer all day long;
every morning you have punished me.

God will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear.

15 If I had said such things,
I would not be acting as one of your people.
16 I tried to think this problem through,
but it was too difficult for me
17 until I went into your Temple.
Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.

Even the most devoted can have doubts, it's what we do and where we turn that shows the true condition of our hearts.

18 You will put them in slippery places
and make them fall to destruction!
19 They are instantly destroyed;
they go down to a horrible end.
20 They are like a dream that goes away in the morning;
when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.

The "reward" for living for self alone and teaching others to do so is clear. It will literally be Hell without Yeshua, confess, repent and turn to God. Start living His design and not our own..

21 When my thoughts were bitter
and my feelings were hurt,
22 I was as stupid as an animal;
I did not understand you.

Self pity is an indication of self worship, also known as idolatry. Focusing on Yeshua instead of self will always clear that up and help us feel better and stronger.

23 Yet I always stay close to you,
and you hold me by the hand.
24 You guide me with your instruction
and at the end you will receive me with honor.
25 What else do I have in heaven but you?

AMEN! Truly there is no one else worthy, looking outside of God's will is looking for something less. Looking outside of God's will leaves you looking head on to Satan because it's God in Heaven or Satan in Hell, those are our only choices.

Since I have you, what else could I want on earth?
26 My mind and my body may grow weak,
but God is my strength;
he is all I ever need.
27 Those who abandon you will certainly perish;
you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, how wonderful to be near God,
to find protection with the Sovereign Lord
and to proclaim all that he has done!

Where we turn in times of trail will tell who we trust and could be our choice for eternity, are we turning to God through Yeshua? Are we settling for the lies of Satan and those of the worldly? I pray we all turn to God through His Son Yeshua HaMashiach, The Lord Jesus the Christ.

The answer to the question of "WHY" is choice.
God gave His creation the choice of trusting Him or following self. Man chose self and brought all kinds of evil upon the world that God had intended for good. Humankind, with some help from Satan, chose strife, hardship, pain and suffering over the perfect design of God. Adam and Eve chose the wrong thing and we continue to do so to this day. "why" is the direct result of our "choice", so what will you choose?
God or Satan.
Simple choice, eternal consequences.


This weeks reading: