R³ Devotional - Day 13

DAWSON “Daws” TROTMAN, founder of the Navigators, drowned while saving a swimmer. Eyewitnesses tell the story of disbelief and great sadness on Schroon Lake that day. Lila, Dawson’s widow was there and someone shouted, “Oh, Lila, he’s gone. She replied calmly…. 
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as He wishes. Psalm 115:3

That response may seem strange to us. Elihu suggests that our actions, whether good or bad, have no effect on God. While our sin does break the heart of God it does not cause Him to take revenge and meet out a punishment befitting to our bad behavior. Nor, does God reward our good behavior. God does as He wishes for His purposes and we do not understand His ways.

‘Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?’” Job 35:10

Elihu makes the reference to thunder and lightning. Weather is powerful and uncontrollable by us. We need storms for the earth’s electrical balance. I don’t understand all the negative and positive charges and how they are released during storms, etc. But God does! Elihu points that out beautifully. I also don’t always understand why things good or bad happen the way they do. I am certain that God is on the throne and in control.

We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, He does not destroy us. Job 37:23

In times of affliction, we should focus on the greatness of God's mercy rather than the greatness of our suffering. 

Our God is in the heavens, and he does as He wishes. Psalm 115:3