He Doesn’t Give us Stones
There are many times in this life we have to ask ourselves, “Why is this happening?” It’s only natural to respond to some of the terrible and sad things around us with questions. If we believe that there is an omnipotent and omnipresent Creator who loves us—and who actively is working in our lives and on our behalf—then it is only logical to ask where He is when things are hard.
In my own life, I have asked these questions. When heartache comes, and loss tears your hope away. “Where are You, God? Why would you allow this? What are you doing, God?” But much like many saints who have gone before me, God didn’t answer from a thundercloud. He didn’t come down in a storm and answer me. Instead, He spoke to me in a still, small whisper. I am here.
I know it seems like a simple greeting card saying, one that popped up in times of difficulty, but it wasn’t from my own mind—it was from God’s heart. He was there with me. He gets down into the mud of life with me, He is there when I get that terrible news, holding me when the tears won’t stop—comforting me when I can’t be comforted. He is there. He is there to cry with us. He is not far off. I might not look away from my situation long enough to see, but He is!
I was reminded recently of a simple truth, the heart of which is found in Luke,
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:11-13, NLT)
God doesn’t give us the bad things in this life—it is a simple as the nature of who He is. He has only love towards us. If something happens in our life, even the things which we would call terrible, it comes from His hand. A loving father doesn’t give stones to His child when they’re hungry and asking for bread. Our Father is the same. If we, as imperfect humans, can understand the love of a child, how much more is His love for us? He doesn’t give us stones. He doesn’t throw things at us to hurt us. He doesn’t act to harm us.
What a comfort that is to know! He doesn’t give us stones! That is a promise I can stand upon, even in the worst of times. I can be confident that because it comes from His hand, it is for my good—even when I cannot see it.
If you are struggling, encourage you today, hold on to that truth—He doesn’t give us stones!
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)