But why?

We had to take our small dog to the vet – never a nice experience. He was excited to get in the car, but when we arrived, he began to shiver, his face etched with the question, "But why?" He couldn't understand why those who cared for him would bring him to a place of fear and pain. Yet we knew why: he needed infected teeth extracted, and once it was over, he'd be far better off. From his limited dog perspective, he could not – and never will – understand this. It made me wonder how often we are like this with God – put through difficult times we simply cannot understand, and may never understand. Yet there are eternal truths to cling to. First, God's unchangeable character, as he declares to Moses: "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness." (Exodus 34:6). Second, that He understands far more than we do: "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9). And finally, 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). It isn't easy when we don't understand – but know, beyond doubt, that God is always, in love, working for your eternal good. (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/exo34v6, bit.ly/Isa55v9, bit.ly/Rom8vs28