You’ve got to feel for Joseph. First he had to cope with the news that his fiancée was pregnant whilst knowing that the unborn child wasn’t his, and then he had to listen to Mary’s seemingly fanciful explanation that her future offspring was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit.
No wonder he briefly considered breaking off his engagement, for at least that might have silenced the jibes he must have received from friends and foes alike. But reassured by an angel that what seemed oh so wrong was in fact oh so right, he remained faithful to both Mary and to God – and so endured the suffering that was ordained for him. [Matthew 1:18-21]
Joseph, of course, is not the only Christian to have been dismayed by what life threw at him. And he’s not alone in being mocked for his faith. The psalmist similarly had to endure those who, seeing him weeping both day and night, added to his distress with their mocking question: ‘Where is your God?’ [Psalm 42:3]
And such experiences are not uncommon today. Many faithful believers experience things that are the very opposite of what they expected God to bring into their lives, and a Christian’s faith is sometimes seen as foolishness – especially when their lives are characterised, as they often are, more by sickness, sorrow, and suffering, than health, wealth, and prosperity.
But remember that Jesus also suffered. And that as he hung on the cross, He too was mocked by those who didn’t understand what they were witnessing. [Mark 15:29]
Because they didn’t recognise how God’s often unfathomable ways are higher than ours, [Isaiah 55:9], that Christ’s suffering wasn’t without life-saving purpose, and that His death was not only for God’s glory but our eternal good too.
And so we can be confident that when we experience what similarly seems unacceptable, God is no less in control. And knowing He can, and does, work through even the most difficult of circumstances, to bring about His always good purposes, our hope in Him remains appropriately intact.
Because whilst weeping may tarry for the nighttime, joy really will come in the morning. [Psalm 30:5]
And though understanding may still elude us — trust will surely not.
To read Day 6 from 2023, click here
To read Day 6 from 2024, click here
Some musings 