How can I ever be joyful?

[Rachel Gerrard]

God Almighty,

Bodies of babies are being washed up on Your shores. Why am I safe in my house with my child sleeping soundly in his bed, when other people are being ripped apart at the hands of men?

Am I better than those who are suffering? Is my son better than that three year old lying lifelessly on the sand? I don't want to feel safe, because I am not. At any moment You could whip the carpet from under our feet. Why have they been subjected to such brutal judgement? Why are their children suffering and dying, and mine isn't?

Even if I receive your Spirit, what place does joy have in my heart until every last soul is reconciled to You?

[Victor Hafichuk]

Of course, Rachel, you know the answers to those questions are all in the Scriptures, as for example, sin causes these problems and consequences (Romans 3:23), and the iniquity of the fathers is visited to the third and fourth generations of those who hate God - Exodus 20.

Read The Purpose of Evil under Teachings, for starters. You need to pray and to read and study Truth. Are you doing that? How much time are you spending taking advantage of what God has provided in the Scriptures and at TPOT, and how much time do you spend reading trash, the lies, doctrines, philosophies and entertainment of men? Ask yourself.

[Rachel Gerrard]

Victor, I read TPOT for at least an hour a day (more usually) - I am not slacking off or backsliding or losing interest in any way just because I feel like this. This is precisely what I am saying. I understand that the iniquities of the fathers are visited on the children and that it was sin that caused this. My point was, why them and not me, and I don't understand how I am ever going to be OK with anything that is happening around me. I don't understand yet - that's not to say I don't think it is possible to understand or that I don't want to, because I do and I am trying with all my heart.

[Victor Hafichuk]

Understood, Rachel. "Why me?" There's much to be said on this matter and I realize I'm not touching on all aspects of your question or that I understand exactly where you're coming from, so we dialogue and get to the issue. All good; we learn of each other and of the Truth.

The Scriptures declare that God didn't choose Israel because they were somehow different or better or greater in any way. He just chose them because He chose them. So with all those He chooses to know Him. It's His prerogative to do as it pleased Him with His creation, and not without wisdom and purpose; we need to believe that.

Read the excellent chapter of Romans 9 on this matter.

Think now of Noah and his family received into the ark while the remainder of the population of the earth is left behind. Hear their screaming outside the ark when it begins to rain and the earth begins to erupt and upheave. How do you think Noah and his family felt in the safety of the ark? Yes, Noah was vindicated, but it was horrible nonetheless. He didn't take pleasure in anyone's destruction. Remember also that there would have been family, friends and neighbors among those perishing in the flood.

Also know that those who were crying for deliverance were mocking only hours, even minutes before. Think about that. I'm saying these things don't happen without just cause, and if He should show you mercy, it's not because you have any coming to you. He just decided to extend clemency to you.

Think about Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding little cities, where only 3 were saved of the entire population of men, women and children, people no different from you and your son. Lot's wife never made it because of her loss of and grief for them - she left sons-in-law behind, for example. Remember Lot's wife.

Think of the land of Canaan promised to the Israelites, where Israel was to slaughter every inhabitant because the Canaanites' sin had come to maturity. Sin is the issue, always. And because Israel didn't fully obey, the remaining inhabitants became a vexation and snare to Israel. No compromise, Rachel, not even by doubt or misgiving. Not that I conclude you're doubting; just admonishing. Questions of mysteries can lead us in wrong directions if we're not careful.

God isn't calling you to understand, certainly not with the carnal mind. Realize that your carnal mind is at enmity with God (Romans 8), so beware. He's calling you to believe - to trust Him.

Yes, you've sinned, but God has granted you mercy by grace to believe and repent of your wickedness. He has called you to be His. Will you believe Him? Will you receive His gift? You can't understand, so no point in trying; just receive His grace and be thankful you aren't appointed to destruction.

Am I still misreading your point, Rachel?

[Victor Hafichuk]

I've mentioned this incident before, though I don't recall to whom or when. In 1983, as my father, mother, aunt and uncle were visiting us, I heard the words, "Those four will be destroyed in their sins. Be thankful."

I'm just told my parents will be destroyed and I'm supposed to be thankful? How so? Isn't that essentially your question? How can we have the "joy of the Lord" while others perish? I pondered those words, "Be thankful" for years and then I realized that we were all appointed to destruction for our sins but I was spared. I had the choice of moaning their lot or thanking God for His mercy extended to me.

But there were also other truths at work. God is Sovereign over both good and evil; He will save all in their appointed times; meanwhile He's working all things, both good and evil, according to the counsel of His will. I may not understand, but I'm called to trust Him.

Saints have joy naturally by the Spirit of the Lord with the fruits of the Spirit...love, joy, peace... but they will have more as they learn of the ways of the Lord.

In due time, if you endure to receiving the Spirit, you'll know what I'm saying. It's a recognition that God has everything under full control though it appears the opposite. Grievous, yes, but all headed in the right direction with a perfectly fine conclusion.

[Michael Demerling]

Thank you Victor for sharing your experiences and faith.

This discussion reminds me of the following:
Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Matthew 24:40 KJV

It's all a mystery to me too - but I am willing to trust God and His perfect wisdom.

Perhaps I am due for some testing in this area - concerning Vera.

Sincerely,
Michael

[Paul Cohen]

God Almighty,

Bodies of babies are being washed up on Your shores. Why am I safe in my house with my child sleeping soundly in his bed, when other people are being ripped apart at the hands of men?

Am I better than those who are suffering? Is my son better than that three year old lying lifelessly on the sand? I don't want to feel safe, because I am not. At any moment You could whip the carpet from under our feet. Why have they been subjected to such brutal judgement? Why are their children suffering and dying, and mine isn't?

Even if I receive your Spirit, what place does joy have in my heart until every last soul is reconciled to You?

In addition to what Victor wrote to you, Rachel, I think it should be emphasized that God doesn't come and suddenly "whip the carpet from under our feet," unless we've been rebellious and intransigent in rebellion.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-11 ESV
(2) For you yourselves are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
(3) While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
(4) But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
(5) For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
(6) So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
(7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
(8) But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
(9) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
(10) Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him.
(11) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

And just as we've been judged in order to be delivered from the destruction and independence of God we perished in as sinners of this world (and make no mistake we were being destroyed even while dwelling "safely" in our homes), so will we come to understand that the destruction happening to others isn't the end, but is part of their needed reaping in order to teach them the necessity of receiving God and His righteousness through Christ. He is Lord and Savior of all men!

"For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe. These things command and teach" (1 Timothy 4:10-11 KJV).

Another thing - there's not only no reason to regret God's judgment on the world, but there's reason to rejoice in it, especially His vengeance on those who've been His enemies - something you won't see or understand by your carnal mind and passions:

"I will make My arrows drunk with blood, and My sword shall devour flesh, with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the hairy scalp of the enemy. Rejoice, O, nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and will render vengeance to His foes and will be merciful to His land, to His people" (Deuteronomy 32:42-43 MKJV).

Notice, even the nations ("goyim") are exhorted to rejoice, those who identify with His people and the good thing He is doing with and through them.

Finally - you can eat good food (spiritual food here, for example), but if your diet also consists of men's poisons, you will be poisoned (it's not so much in what you read, but in what you believe or don't disbelieve). You need to be established in the Truth.

[Iris Schneider]

Dear Rachel,
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!(Philippians 4:4) The joy of the Lord is your strength(Nehemiah 8:10) Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,(Ephesians 5:20) for in part we know, and in part we prophecy;(1 Corinthians 13:99)

God knows, what is happening, not on His shores only, but in heaven and earth, everything is according to His will and command. You ask why is it so? Because He reigns supreme. Read Acceptance.
You are right, you are safe only in Him, your Savior. All other feelings of safety are deceiving.

What is this attitude of ours, confused and accusing Him of all the calamities in the world we know nothing about and withholding all the praise for His blessings of good things happening we know and see and feel and taste? He works everything for good at the end. Look to Him.
Rachel, we are blessed in the Lord above comprehension.
What I have written to you is telling me to do so also every day.
Thank You Victor and Paul for your teaching on this from the Lord.
-Iris.

[Sara V Schmidt]

Jorge Rodriguez responds:

Hi victor
Thanks for share it is really blessing
Know The Lord mercy by grace
Thank you lord thank you so mouch