Nehemiah Week 4

Sometimes I wonder why God saved my marriage.  As soon as I say that, I must also say this:  My marriage could still become a casualty.  And if someday that is my reality, that doesn’t mean that God has stopped working and blessing me.  Because he works all things, even divorce, for our good.

Ecclesiastes 3:11  “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Something I read this week in my Nehemiah study really struck me.  Let me explain.Kelly mentions taking a trip to Africa in her twenties.  She was asking God if he cares for those that are powerless and suffer from injustice in this world.  And after asking God “Why not me?”, she senses God’s response and writes it in her journal:“It is not for you to know why, but because you weren’t, over your whole life you have a responsibility to care for the poor.” (from Kelly Minter’s Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break, pg.70)And as I re-read this, and consider my question from above:  “Why me?” and  “Why did God save my marriage?”  I believe the same answer applies:It is not for you to know why, but because your marriage didn’t end up a casualty, over your whole life you have a responsibility to care for those whose marriages end. Because whether your marriage continues or whether it ends, God wants us all to be healthy and whole.  Whether you are married or whether you are divorced, it’s important to grieve, get angry, feel the pain, forgive, trust.  And most importantly, continue to trust in God.

Isaiah 43:1-2 promises us “…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Now it’s your turn.  Think of a “Why me?” you’ve asked God in the past.  And obviously there are two types of why me’s.  I’m talking about the “why was I so lucky/blessed, why me.”Now fill in the blanks for yourself:  It is not for you to know why, but because you _____________________, over your whole life you have a responsibility to care for ________________________.