Why does one woman suffer with
diabetes her entire life while another is healthy?
Why does one woman lose her house
in a fire while another woman's house stands?
Why does one woman wait longingly
to see one positive pregnancy strip while another woman drives a van full of
kids?
David says to Solomon, "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name
of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: 'You have shed much
blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name,
because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a
son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his
enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace
and quiet during his reign.'" (1
Chron. 22:7-9, NIV)
David always had to fight for
everything - for his sheep, his life, his kingdom - but through David, God
poured out for all men the great songs of comfort.
Solomon was rich and lived in
complete peace, and through Solomon God poured out for all men His great wisdom.
Different Lives
Two very different lives. Two
flavors of rich contribution to the world.
God grants to some conflict and
difficulty.
God grants to some peace and
ease.
Of course, often life is hard
because of our sinful choices, and we must own this if we know it's true.
But circumstance is not always by
our choice. Sometimes it's a granting. To grant means to put upon, to entrust.
Solomon did not ask to be rich or
to build a magnificent temple or to have no enemies. His wealth and
construction assignment and peace were entrusted to him with a great purpose.
David did not ask for the lion
and the bear and Goliath and crazy Saul and enemies on every side, but it seems
those circumstances were entrusted to him with a great purpose.
We need to change our question.
Instead of asking, "Why am I in this situation instead of in her
situation?" we need to ask, "For what purpose has God entrusted me
with this particular life?"
Christy Fitzwater
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