God never promised everything would be easy, but you can remain grateful anyway

The current devotion is written by Dianna Hobbs, founder of EEW Magazine, as part of her 28 Days of Gratitude blog series. Get more inspiration on her Daily Cup of Inspiration blog.

Scripture of the Day: But I complained, "LORD God, I don't want to do that! People already say I confuse them with my messages." (Ezekiel 20:49 CEV)

These are the words of Ezekiel, a great prophet of God. He was among the Jews carried away into Babylonian exile, and his job was to convey God’s messages to the people.

One would think that such an anointed man would have no hesitation about saying whatever God instructed him to say, but we see from today’s featured complaint that Ezekiel was affected by others’ perceptions of him. He had a reputation for speaking in parables, and it could be difficult to decipher their meaning. This made some folks mock him or completely dismiss him, and Ezekiel was bothered by that.

In the verses preceding Ezekiel’s complaint, God told him to prophesy against the southern forest, and say to the forest that God was going to set it ablaze, and no man would be able to quench the fire (vs. 45-48). Ezekiel wasn’t thrilled about this divine mandate, and I can almost hear him asking, Lord, do I have to?

Has God ever asked you to do something that you didn’t want to do? Have you struggled with a command in His word? Has a divine assignment ever made you want to dodge responsibility or bow out gracefully? Did you ever feel like asking Him, Lord, do I have to?

When an assignment is hard, do you approach it with grumbling and complaining? Self-pity and sadness? Dread and resentment? Anger and bitterness? Stubbornness and disobedience? Or humility and gratitude for an opportunity to do what pleases God and not yourself?

GOD NEVER PROMISED THAT

In the PM version of the Bible—that is the “Please Myself” version—there is a Scripture that says, “Obey God with a joyful heart only when you want to do what He says. Otherwise, you are free to complain (and even rebel) if that is what makes you happy. Your personal happiness is the end goal.”

Ha! Of course, we know that no such Bible exists, and no easy road through life exists either. Though you may enjoy your comfort, God never promised that: you would be comfortable; you would like every assignment; the journey would be pleasant; every prayer would be answered quickly; the answer would always be yes; you would be immediately rescued out of every affliction; or your obedience would win man’s approval.

He never promised any of those things. However, He did promise that He would cause everything to work together for our good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Therefore, instead of complaining about the rocky road, difficult assignments and commands, thank God that He is causing all this unpleasant stuff to work out for your good.

GIVE THANKS ANYWAY

When I was younger, I acted up in church, and my father, also my pastor, spanked me in the sanctuary. Directly following my humiliating spanking, he stood me up as I was crying and made me testify in front of everyone. Use your imagination, and picture a much younger Dianna wiping tears and trying to testify about the goodness of God between sobs.

It is hilarious when I think of it now, but back then, it felt like pure torture!

Though I didn’t like it, and I felt embarrassed—just as Ezekiel felt embarrassed by his Heavenly Father’s command—I did it anyway. I wept and thanked God for being good, for saving me, and for giving me the chance to testify. Not a word I was saying agreed with my mood or fleshly desires, but I said it anyway.

Looking back on it, I thank God for that experience, because it is a discipline that has stayed with me all these years later. Through tears, I give thanks anyway. Through pain, I give thanks anyway. Through humiliation, I give thanks anyway. Through difficult assignments, I give thanks anyway.

And you, my friend, can do it too. Give thanks anyway. God doesn’t mind the tears. He knows it hurts. He is aware of how challenging it is for you to be in that position. And yet, in His sovereignty, He has allowed you to walk this path.

When you thank Him anyway, you are obeying 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. And your obedience pleases God. Furthermore, He will reward that obedience.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT

Choose 5 hard things you’re dealing with right now or have dealt with recently, and write down one reason you are grateful for each of those challenges.

Ponder these things to help you answer:

• What about it was good for you?

• How has it changed, or how is it still changing you for the better?

• What has it taught you about God?

• What have you learned about yourself?

Now, let’s pray.

God, everything You ask of me is not easy, and life greatly challenges me sometimes. Yet, I thank You, and I trust You, because I know You would never do anything to harm me, and Your plans for me are good. Please continue to mold me into an obedient vessel who desires Your will above my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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