Trust Him With the Whys

I imagine that most of us have at some time asked the "why?" question.  Why haven't I been healed?  Why was my prayer not answered?  Jesus himself asked the Father "why have you forsaken me?"  I asked the "why" question several times while Floyd was sick.  The answer I got every time was to trust Him - that Floyd was not forgotten.  That He had a plan.  Someday I'll fully understand that plan.

I love "The Chosen" series.  I'm just watching all three seasons over again.  They minister to me each time.  There is a scene in Season 3, Episode 2 entitled "Two by Two."  Jesus has just told the disciples that He is sending them out in pairs to preach the Gospel and do signs and wonders.  It is a surprise to them, and they are processing what it means.

Little James goes to ask Jesus a question.  He wonders how he can heal others when he himself hasn't been healed - and he asks Jesus why He hasn't healed him.  It's a poignant scene - and one that spoke directly to me!

Jesus explains that He hasn't healed him because He trusts him.  God has a plan for him, but it's a bit of a mystery.  God will use him "in spite" of not being healed.  And He asks Little James to, in turn, trust Him.

I so identify with that conversation!  I pray for healing - but I also tell the Lord I trust Him.  I know that "His ways are higher than my ways."  I know that He gives me daily strength and grace in spite of not being healed.  I read this quote - "One day you'll see why God made you wait."  That day may not be until heaven, but someday we'll understand all the "whys."

Jesus makes it clear that He uses us whether we're healed and get our answers or not.  He has a plan!  I trust His plan.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid."  Psalm 56:3,4

"The Lord is my strength and my shield.  My heart trusts Him."  Psalm 28:7

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs3:5,6

"He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord."  Psalm 112:7

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."  Psalm 37:5

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."  Psalm 62:8

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."  Psalm 20:7

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.  Trust in the Lord, forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the ROCK eternal."  Isaiah 26:3,4

I'm so grateful that I can "pour out my heart" to Him.  He is my Refuge, my Rock!  I speak that out to Him pretty much daily.  I give my "why" questions to Him and trust Him because He is completely trustworthy.  And I'm grateful that He trusts me.

Last year a UK publisher reissued Floyd's book - "The Father Heart of God."  It's only the UK edition, not the US.  I love to read and have a continual stack of books that I'm working my way through.  The stack never gets finished as I keep adding to it.  I'm a bit old fashioned - I don't like reading online.  I like holding the book in my hands. :)

I just finished a book and was looking at what I'd read next - when my eye caught the new "Father Heart" book.  Floyd wrote the book long ago in 1985 - 38 years ago.  I'm amazed and grateful that it is still selling and ministering to people.

As I've read the book, I've been so blessed.   It's "fresh" - could have been written a few months ago rather than all those years ago.  God must certainly have had His hand on Floyd in writing it.  My heart has been captured afresh by the Father's love.  Page after page feels like it's speaking right to me.  I wish I could tell Floyd how much I'm loving reading it.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."  Psalm 103:13

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are."  1 John 3:1

"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!"  Matthew 7:11,12

" 'And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,' says the Lord Almighty."  2 Corinthians 6:18

"We love, because He first loved us."  1 John 4:19

"For God loved the world in this way:  He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16

I have truly fallen in love with the Father all over again - and received His love for me in fresh ways.  I'm so grateful for Floyd's book!