Wednesday evening we continued our class on Luke and Jim presented another interesting but challenging question.  I’ll get to the question in a minute, but first he prefaced the class discussion by asking some questions about Zechariah and Elizabeth before they were the parents of John the Baptist.  Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as blameless in keeping God’s commandments and regulations.  In fact they are referred to as blameless AND upright.  It was also discussed that in the culture at that time you were looked upon to not have God’s favor if you were not blessed with children.  So why would a couple who are described as blameless and upright be faced so far in their life with not being able to have any children?  They were well along in years and it seems that they have given up hope.  We have the benefit of knowing the end of the story, but at the time they did not have that benefit and until the angel comes and tells Zechariah that he will be a father, they have no reason to believe they will have any children. 

So here is the question I am sure we all can struggle and wrestle with to some degree, I know I have.  “Do we worship God, or do we worship God’s goodness?”

The Bible is full of people who were blameless, upright, and good people who suffered or were persecuted.  Job, Joseph, Daniel and many others including Jesus.  One of the reasons these examples are included in God’s revealed word I believe is to show us that giving our lives over into service for Him does not mean an easier life.  In fact, it can often lead to a more difficult life at times.  As Jim also pointed out, Jesus tells people to count the cost before they decided to follow.  He tells them to pick up their cross and carry it.  He tells them that anyone who looks back is not fit for the kingdom.  Although Jesus offers a more abundant life, that same life will be a challenge and requires a fight against Satan and his evil schemes. 

So how do we respond when things don’t go so well in our lives?  Do we blame God?  Do we ask him, “Why me??”  Or do we echo Job’s words after he lost just about everything.  “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away.  May the name of the Lord be praised.”  There is a man who worshiped God.