"THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE"

December 8   This Doesn’t Make Sense  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed…”  (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

In this passage of scripture, Paul was perplexed, but was not in despair.  He was not merely smiling through the difficulties of the day; he was depending on the power of God to see him through.  Paul was encountering situations and circumstances that simply did not make sense.  Believe it or not, I am constantly encountering dilemmas that do not make sense.  A young man, in the prime of life, with a wife and two children, whose life was taken by a drunk driver with multiple convictions for DWI’s, or the beautiful lady, with an amazing musical career ahead of her, silenced by that terrible invader we call cancer.  As I reflect on these things, they don’t make sense to me.  Recently, in the midst of this Global Pandemic (by the way, it is obviously not made-up or Fake), we have witnessed behaviors that defy common sense, or “Just Don’t Make Sense!”  What is going on?  What is motivating such behavior and thoughts?  As a Follower of Christ, I recognize that there are many, many things that happen that I will never understand and there are things that happen to teach me that I am to be dependent on God and to share His love and to seek those things that I can understand.  As I have prayed concerning the, seemingly, idiotic behaviors of those around me, I have come to realize that, just because it doesn’t make sense to me, right now, it does not mean that it will never make sense.  Over the last 2 weeks, friends, family and dear acquaintances have been diagnosed with COVID19, and when I encounter individuals that, for whatever reason, refuse to wear a mask or to keep a distance, I am amazed, and I just don’t understand.  Putting on a helmet, when riding a motorcycle, provides some level of personal safety, would it make sense to wear a mask to provide some level of safety for you and for others?  Well, I have determined that some things, for me and my limited perspective will never make sense; however, with deeper consideration, I understand that God has a plan and that His ways and His will may be beyond my reasoning.  Guess What?  The highest lesson that God wants us to learn is that, REGARDLESS OF THE INSANITY, REGARDLESS OF THE SEEMINGLY IDIOTIC BEHAVIORS, REGARDLESS OF THE MOTIVATIONS OF OTHERS, GOD IS STILL, AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN CONTROL.  By prayer, by faith, we will be obedient to His call.  Listen to this poem by T.H. Allen: “Whatsoe’r He bids you, do it, though you may not understand.  Yield to Him complete obedience; then you’ll see His mighty hand.  Fill the water pots with water; Fill them to the brim.  He will honor all your trusting; Leave the miracles to Him!”  Remember this… “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed…”  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!