When the outcome what you were expecting does not become reality, hearts and minds tend to explore why. There may be an obvious explanation like a more deserving person who received that which you desired. However, there will be many outcomes that leave you scratching your head, dumbfounded by fate. The persistent will not give up, working harder each day to alter their current course. Others may press on a little longer just in case God changes his mind like Abraham’s prayer below. Unfortunately, the deflated, tired and weak give up hope, haunted by what could have been.
Abraham approached [the Lord] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous [people] within the city; will You really sweep it away and not spare it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing—to strike the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right [by executing just and righteous judgment]?” 26 So the Lord said, “If I find within the city of Sodom fifty righteous [people], then I will spare the entire place for their sake,” Genesis 18:23-26.
Judas Iscariot was a fortunate individual, chosen by the son of God to be one of 12 disciples. Based upon a few details in each of the four gospels, this Judas was the treasurer of Jesus’ earthly ministry for 3 years. Some translations refers to Judas overseeing the money bag, containing the collection of tithes by individuals blessed, healed and saved by Jesus. According to the passage below, when a woman wasted an expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus, this set Judas off. Perhaps, this was the last straw, convincing Judas to betray Jesus. As religious leaders celebrated Jesus’ capture, Judas withdrew to the desert to hang himself. Guilt, remorse and shame influenced Judas to commit suicide, missing out on starting the first century church.
Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, the one who was going to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it, John 12:3-6.
Last week a New Jersey woman went to complain at school after her daughter was cut from the cheerleading squad. Instead of using this rejection as inspiration to work harder to make it next year, this defiant mother convinced the board of education to force the team to accept everyone who tries out. What would have happened if Michael Jordan’s dad or mom forced his high school coach to not cut him? America may not have been able to watch one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Thus, instead of being haunted by what could have been. Dig down deep into your soul, ask the Lord for resolve and give everything that you have so that God’s destiny for you will prevail.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 