"God so loved ... that He gave ..." (John 3:16). You know what it says .. His only Son, that we might not "perish"--we fear it all our lives from cradle to grave, to be water spilled on the desert, forgotten forever. Our part is to "believe in Him."
But is it easier for some to believe than for others? If so, it's not fair. Some of us sail through life with first-class tickets, bubbling with spontaneous good cheer; life is a constant picnic. For them it seems easy to "believe."
Others find it an uphill endeavor to "believe." The Bible describes both camps, first class and tourist: "All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast" (Prov. 15:15). And Solomon seems to leave us there, too busy to sympathize with those of us who seem to slip into the category of "the afflicted." He just congratulates those "of a merry heart."
What makes the difference between the "picnickers" and the "afflicted"? Will power? It will fail you at last. Fate? No; trust the astrologers with their Zodiac and you have "affliction" forever. Genetics, DNA? Do mom or dad program you for one or the other? You get no help blaming or praising them.
Then, did God "program" you one way or the other--to the endless picnic or the endless heartache? If so, He's not fair--and to think that way is the very opposite of "believing" John 3:16. The answer is: God as your Father cares both for the apparent "picnickers" (they can fall into the dumpster overnight, just let cancer strike) and "the afflicted" (who share pain with His Son, and whom He especially appreciates). The Father reveals Himself in His Son who was and is in the camp of "the afflicted."
The only "hard" part of being "saved" is learning to "believe" how good the Good News is--and He is a Master at teaching you how: "Learn of Me," He says; "Come." Be a pupil in His class; stay there--yes, in His kindergarten. Keep praying, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief," and you can never "perish," never (Matt. 11:28-30; Mark 9:24).
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 30, 2001.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
