Psalm 73
1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
If this is true, then the reverse is also true. The prosperity of the wicked is but for a season. The calamity of the righteous is also but for a season.
In God’s infinite wisdom, things happen that there simply are no answers for; yet we rest assured in his great and precious promises. We are his children and the flock of his pasture.
There are no words that comfort us when loss becomes our companion. But in every loss, we know the Comforter is with us.
The wicked abound but for a season, but when we righteous fall, they land in the hands of a loving Savior.
DT, I am truly sorry for your loss.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Some things we won't have answers to this side of heaven!
I agree and maybe some things if we knew why they would be far worse than we could imagine.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
Psalm 73
1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
If this is true, then the reverse is also true. The prosperity of the wicked is but for a season. The calamity of the righteous is also but for a season.
In God’s infinite wisdom, things happen that there simply are no answers for; yet we rest assured in his great and precious promises. We are his children and the flock of his pasture.
There are no words that comfort us when loss becomes our companion. But in every loss, we know the Comforter is with us.
The wicked abound but for a season, but when we righteous fall, they land in the hands of a loving Savior.
DT, I am truly sorry for your loss.
thanks ferd, i have been ok with this up till now, and it just kind of settled on me, god bless you, bro yonts was not only my pastor but a friend to me, dt
__________________
A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
thanks ferd, i have been ok with this up till now, and it just kind of settled on me, god bless you, bro yonts was not only my pastor but a friend to me, dt
I experienced the same thing. It is a very hard thing to understand. When the pastor is so kind and loving, prayerful etc.
Seems the best go first, BUT, the peace is in knowing they are with Jesus, no longer suffering.
__________________
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
My dad was also my pastor, he passed 2 yrs ago. I've asked why many times. The day he died I felt like a spoiled little girl that didn't get her way, and demanded God to tell me why. Little life lessons since then maybe don't tell me why, but they sure do help me grow.
__________________ Don' Take Your Organs to Heaven!
i have been thinking about this for two days now, and the passing of my pastor who was such a young guy only 44, 3 years younger than i, i know better than to question god, Jesus has been so good to me, but i cant help be curious, it just doesnt make any sense to me, for him to be gone, and his wife and kids left alone, your thoughts please, i loved my pastor dearly and his family will need that love more now, wondering, dt
Without reading the rest of the posts, let me give you my ideas.
JY was diagnosed with ARDS, a very serious and deadly disease. If the patient makes it through the worst part of the problem, they are usually on oxygen, and their prognosis isn't good.
The fact that he lived quite a long time after his initial illness tells me that God healed him in some way, sorta like how He gave Hezekiah more time on the earth than what he would have had without prayer.
There was a reason why JY didn't die when perhaps he should have. We might never know why, but there is a reason. Why God didn't wait longer is just as much a mystery, but again, there is a reason.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
There is NOTHING in the scripture that tells us that we shouldn't question or ask God why? Some preach it as a real No No. We are human and have questions. Real faith is continuing to walk with God in the midst of those questions, not in the absence of them. I have questioned more than once and God has never fried me. He just continues to love me as the son He called and continues to work with patiently!!!
__________________
"Those who go after the "Sauls" among us often slay the Davids among us." Gene Edwards
Without reading the rest of the posts, let me give you my ideas.
JY was diagnosed with ARDS, a very serious and deadly disease. If the patient makes it through the worst part of the problem, they are usually on oxygen, and their prognosis isn't good.
The fact that he lived quite a long time after his initial illness tells me that God healed him in some way, sorta like how He gave Hezekiah more time on the earth than what he would have had without prayer.
There was a reason why JY didn't die when perhaps he should have. We might never know why, but there is a reason. Why God didn't wait longer is just as much a mystery, but again, there is a reason.
i agree joy, it was a miracle we had him as long as we did, i see that, i just allready miss him, he was a good pastor and good man, loved by all here, thanks, dt
__________________
A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
There is NOTHING in the scripture that tells us that we shouldn't question or ask God why? Some preach it as a real No No. We are human and have questions. Real faith is continuing to walk with God in the midst of those questions, not in the absence of them. I have questioned more than once and God has never fried me. He just continues to love me as the son He called and continues to work with patiently!!!
thanks mow, i agree, i too have heard that questioning was a no no, but i know god is in control and is not bothered by my curiosity, but blaming god or being bitter that is another deal entirely, aint doin that, he knows best, thanks, dt
__________________
A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children