Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 8:11–20

Why Me?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed

us in Christ with every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)

 

Most of us intuitively understand when someone in the midst of great suffering looks up to heaven and groans, “God, why me?” Whether we are  talking  about  disease,  natural  disasters,  accidents, or random violence, we have all struggled with the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Though I don’t want to diminish the importance of such a question, I want to encourage us to consider another question—a question that in many ways is deeper and even more difficult to answer. Think about all the ways God has blessed you. Consider your family, your health, your possessions, your job, your education, your friendships, and your salvation. Now, look up to heaven and ask, “God, why me? I’ve been such a dirty, rotten bum and yet you lavish blessing upon blessing on someone like me! Why? Why me?”

The real issue that ought to baffle us is not why bad things happen to good people but rather why good things happen to bad people. Why would a holy God pour out such blessings on sinners like us?

Interestingly, the Bible answers this question. Apparently God wants you to know the reason he has been so good to you! Don’t imagine that his blessings come your way because you deserve them or because he likes you better than other people. No, he blesses us:

,. To humble us. How arrogant it is to imagine that our blessings in life are the result of hard work and pious behavior (Deut. 8:17–18). Every blessing we possess is a pure gift of God’s unmerited favor. Those who are proud illustrate that they have forgotten this fundamental truth. What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (I Corinthians 4:7)

,. To lead us to repentance. The miraculous catch of fish caused Peter to fall on his knees and say to Jesus, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man (Luke 5:8). The unmerited goodness of God broke his heart. Why me, Lord? Paul asked an important question that we should never forget: Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

,. To enable us to be a blessing to others. God does not bless us just because he likes us and wants us to be happy. No, he has something much bigger in mind. He blesses us so that we, like a channel, can be a source of blessing to others. Now the Lord said to Abraham, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you . . . so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1–2)

Pause for a few moments and count your blessings. When you have finished, take a deep breath, look up to heaven, and in a loud voice shout “Lord, why me? Why me?” Then, let him answer your question!

 

God doesn’t bless us just to make us happy;

he blesses us to make us a blessing.

—Warren  Wiersbe

 

point to ponder • Why has God been so good to you?

prayer focus • That the goodness of God in the life of someone you know would lead him/her to repentance.