Blaming God instead of our choices

Reading: Matthew 26:17-25

“I wish, God that you just didn’t bring me forth into this world.”  Many of us would have said that in our younger years as we went through trials, disciplines and self-inflicted pain.  Even Job said that (Job 10:18-19).

Jesus said that it would had been better for the man who betrayed him had he not been born.  Was God then to be blamed for allowing someone to be born and be the son of perdition?  No!  If Judas Iscariot had not been born, the opportunity to betray Jesus will present itself to someone else.  Even I had betrayed my Lord many times in the past… like when I kept quiet about my faith because it won’t be cool with my friends, or when I wanted a new job but knew that my faith wouldn’t go down well with my prospective employer.

King David said: “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man” (ESVUK).  He knew that the consequences of his actions would be far more painful than if God intervenes to soften the blow.

And that’s what Jesus did and what His offer is to each and every one of us.  The Father sent Him to intervene/intercede on our behalf, so that we would be reconciled to God.  We were created for His glory, to be His children.  Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), but we made a decision to lose our innocence and die, to be the children of the father of lies and join him in eternal condemnation.  But God didn’t leave us without hope.  He offers us mercy, forgiveness and love—but how will we accept this if we are always resisting, disobedient and self-vindicating our poor and depraved choices in life?

Rest in the Lord, my soul.  Stop fighting.  It is hard to kick against the goads (Acts 26:14).  God our Father, please accept my remorse and repentance.  Heal me from now on, and lead me to a life that lives only for your glory.  In Jesus’ mighty name.  Amen.

Image by Mireia Pascual Molla from Pixabay