2:169 – I’ve Got 99 Problems, But The Lord Ain’t One

#faithbites #faithjourney problems

I have many issues I could complain about: health, work, family, religion, politics, and the list goes on. When I complain, I try to do so with purpose and exploration. Even those I have many problems, the Lord isn’t one.

Yesterday we talked about DoubleThink or as I was corrected holding two ideas as truth at the same time that are opposite and being able to function.

Even though I wrestle everyday with my faith and with the 98 other problems, I have no problems with my God.

You could say he’s like Rick Astley: Never Gonna Give You Up, Never Gonna Let You Down, Never Gonna Run around and desert you.

Scripture

• Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6
• Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:10-13
• The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us – 1 Kings 8:57

Reflection

I have problems and struggle daily. The funny thing is I don’t struggle in my faith. I know the Lord is with me. All throughout the Bible, we see that he will never foresaken us, never leave us, never turn away from us. That is powerful.

I may struggle with my religion (mankind’s interpretation of faith), I may even disagree with the impact of some translations (more on that tomorrow), but I don’t struggle with God.

I see him in everything. From my kids forgiveness, to my friends willingness to help, to the food he gives, to me being where I am in my life when there is no explanation for it. There is no doubt the He made all things, that Jesus provides salvation, and that the Hy Spirit spreads faith.

We may get bogged down by our 99+ problems, but God isn’t one.

Charge

What are you struggling with? Is it a world problem or a God problem. Most times, it’s a world problem telling us to do things we shouldn’t. Sometimes, it’s a me problem, where we can’t see beyond what the world tells us. Often, we conflate them to be God problems. Talk to your heavenly father. Give him thanks, love, and ask for his assistant. You will see God won’t ever leave you.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for being you. You are constant, never changing, all loving, all caring, and all healing. Help us when we conflate our me problems and world problems as God problems. Give us the strength to know the difference between faith, religion, church, and individual opinions. Forgive us when we blame you or your church for our failures. Remind us to always look to your word and to you for final answers. In your name, Amen