When Trusting God Doesn't Make Sense

 There are times when trusting God doesn’t make sense.  The thing we long for and earnestly prayed for doesn’t happen, yet much later, we see God’s hand of blessing in another area of our lives.

Just before his death, Jacob chose to bless Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph positioned the boys so that his father would merely have to reach out his hands and bless them. Instead, Jacob crossed his hands with his right hand on the youngest and the left hand on the oldest. Joseph was perplexed, “so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph protested to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head” (Gen 48:18). But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations” (Genesis 48:18-19).

This was not how it was supposed to be done. Manasseh should receive the firstborn blessing. Why had his father crossed his hands? Though Joseph did not understand how this could be, Jacob was resolute. This was God’s doing. This blessing came from God, and he was delivering it. Jacob had learned to trust God even when it didn’t make sense. He had also learned that God’s grace is never captive to human demands or position; instead, God’s grace is sovereign.

Is this not like us. We know the order we want our blessings to come. Like Joseph, we are sure God has made a mistake. What we wanted so much doesn’t come, and the blessings that do come we never saw as blessings. The greatest blessings in our lives often turn out to be the crossed-handed blessings God sends our way.

In 1978 Marilyn and I were approved to be missionaries and asked to go to Catamarca, Argentina. After praying and learning about this place, God gave us a burden for these people. We looked forward to making this province located next to the Andes mountains our future home. As we traveled the U.S. and shared our story of his call and our mission on our first itinerary, God marvelously opened doors. It was truly amazing! We reached our budget in just four months even though we were expected to itinerate one year. But, since the language school in Costa Rica started in May, we asked if

we could begin language school early and skip orientation classes slated for the summer. They approved us to go immediately. Although school was not easy, we made it through the year.

We finally arrived in Buenos Aires. But, the culture shock, the massive city, getting our things through customs, was overwhelming, but most disheartening was the news that we wouldn’t be allowed to go to Catamarca. An Argentine pastor was going there instead, and we would need to pick another province. We decided on Tucuman because it was the neighboring province of Catamarca.

The very name, Catamarca, just seemed to be a question that couldn’t be answered. Eventually, we found out the Argentine pastor never did go to Catamarca, which made it even more bewildering. A few months after we were settled in Tucuman, we made the trip to Catamarca. However, after that visit, the Lord gave us the peace that we were He wanted us to be. Later, while in Tucuman, the Lord laid on our hearts to start the National Missions Department of Argentina. We did, and I served as the first president for about six years. Guess where the first missionary was sent? Catamarca. God raised up a great church and ministry to that city. Now missionaries from Argentina serve in countries all over the world.  This turned out to be one of God’s crossed-handed blessings.

A Biblical Perspective of Work

 I love to work, and I think it is because my father taught me how to work. My wife and I taught our three children how to work. Work is supposed to be something we enjoy.  It is surprising how many people say that they don’t like their work. I recently was told by someone that when asked by his boss what he most liked about his work, he replied, “The paycheck!” I asked him if he still had a job. He replied that he does but doesn’t enjoy it; however, it pays the bills. What a sad commentary on how many people look at work. It may be one reason we have thousands of people not working who are capable of doing so.

God saw work as useful, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen 2:15). Adam was delegated essential responsibilities to fulfill. The Apostle Paul said, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Col 3:23). We are supposed to put our heart and soul into our work. Solomon said that hard work brings its own reward, “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment” (Prov 12:11).

Work is a place for us to glorify God by the excellence we put into it. It is time that Christians evaluate the quality of their work and their attitude toward work. Without realizing it, many believers are influenced by prevalent attitudes such as, “Work is a necessary evil” or “Why do I have to work when others don’t have to?” or “I am looking forward to the day I don’t have to work” spoken by a teenager.

Widespread beliefs, such as “The government should pay everyone whether they work or not,” have crept into Christian thinking or “The envy of wanting what the rich have so I won’t have to work.” These attitudes and beliefs are antithetical to biblical principles.

Work is a place for us to demonstrate our faith and principles. It is where we can strive to be creative and produce outcomes that bless others. The scientist discovers a cure for a disease, the engineer builds a bridge, the attorney defends our rights, and the soldier fights for our freedom. Nehemiah was a great planner and leader who completed a significant project of building a wall despite adversity. Moses used Holiab, a craftsman and designer (Ex 38:23), to create the tabernacle. Solomon took advantage of Huram-Abi, a man of incredible skill, to build a magnificent temple (2 Chron 2:13-14). Work has a way of bringing blessings to many people when we dedicate our energies to God’s glory.

As believers, there has never been a time when we needed Christians more to display their skills for God’s Glory; whether in public office, business, finance, science, medicine, the arts, the media, academia, the legal system, and on and on. As parents, we can inspire our children to see work as an avenue to serve God and bless their fellowmen.

Our priorities always need to be in alignment. Our primary focus is God; second is our marriage, third is our family, and then our work. If work comes before God or our marriage and family, we will pay dearly for our misaligned priorities.

In the book of Genesis, Joseph is a prime example of someone who valued his work, whether working for Potiphar or in the jailhouse or as viceroy of Egypt. He sought excellence and was successful. God will bless hard work when our heart is in the right place. I have always loved this verse from Proverbs: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Prov 22:29). God has a way of rewarding the diligent! Do your best and leave the rest in God’s hands.