After his resurrection Jesus appeared to His disciples and said to them: “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38 ).
When we think of the circumstances they faced we can understand that things had become somewhat unstable and stressful with Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion.
These men had already committed three and a half years to Jesus and His mission; only to find that it all fell apart at the very point when it seemed like it was going to succeed. Only a week before they were elated when the crowds finally cheered Jesus entrance into Jerusalem – the King had finally come to own His crown.
At that point all their hopes were flying high and the hard work and sacrifice looked as if it would pay off. Then Jesus died.
Feelings of trouble and questioning arise when we lose touch with God’s intentions and purpose in the circumstances that confront us. What do we do with the frustrations and setbacks that occur; even with the things that we were certain was part of God’s plan and purpose for our lives and the life of His Church?
We turn our trouble hearts to trust in the Lord and his providence. It is a matter of trusting that God is still in control even when it seems that everything has gone totally out of control.
This was the true lesson that Job had to learn. Though Job was faithful in not turning his back on God or cursing God for his circumstances, he still did not understand that despite everything that had happened to him God was still in control of his life and its circumstances.
In the disappointments of life we need to turn to the Lord afresh and ask Him what His intentions might be in the circumstances that confront us. Proverbs 16:9 notes that “a man’s mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” As the Lord’s servants we need to submit our plans to Him and let Him direct our steps to the fulfillment of those plans.
We need to be careful in the midst of the times that make us feel troubled that we do not allow stubbornness to arise in our hearts and close out the Lord’s direction in our lives. Micah said, ” He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
