Rain falls on us all “alike”
Sometimes I get a bit peeved at how evil people keep getting away with being evil. I want instant recompense (- but not on me! On them!).
And then I struggle with feeling insignificant in the face of it all. But, I settle down when I recall that God has told us, “Rain falls on the just and the unjust alike.” God is like that with us.
“…he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. – Matthew 5:45 1
That means: life happens to everyone “alike”. Life is not special for special people, 2 and not-so-good for us ordinary types. On the contrary (au contraire): God has nature and “circumstance”, “life…” treat us all the same all over the planet for every human.
Like the rain, which falls or not… some get the short end of the stick, as they say, live in poverty, get hit by a truck, get sick and die young. Others get fat’n sassy, live long and blasphemous and rich and richer. But that’s just the way it is. That’s not our call. It’s on God.
“Rain falls on the just and the unjust alike.”
Some have one problem after another, for no reason at all, it would appear — while others seemingly do all kinds of evil and criminal shenanigans — and get away with it all, and get richer through it all, it seems.
It behooves us to be looking out for the interests of others, not just for ourselves. Be generous in our giving, even if we do not have a lot, and be people of prayer at all times. There are always needs to pray for.
“Your life is a journey you must travel
with a deep consciousness of God.
It cost God plenty
to get you out of that dead-end,
empty-headed life you grew up in.
He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know.
He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb….”
– 1 Peter 1:18-21 The Message (MSG)
Today and tomorrow we must turn to God in the midst of these very clear and present dangerous times – which we were born to live in. The inner perfect peace we desire can only be ours by daily calling to Jesus. He is our peace if we place our faith in Him. – Source: Perilous times are here
Keep your mind focused on God
Do you practice prayer, pray without ceasing? Especially in these days of ever increasing evil, a healthy life means focusing our mind on God (Isaiah 26:3).
Our focus has to be on God and what God has said about things – not focused on circumstances. Things happen. But our trust must be in Him, not in our strength, our wealth, our connections, our smarts, our abilities.
““You will keep
in [a]perfect and constant peace
the one whose mind is steadfast
[that is, committed and focused
on You
—in both [b]inclination and character],
Because he trusts
and takes refuge
in You
[with hope and confident expectation].”
– Isaiah 26:3 AMP
No matter who you are
No human need stay in the funk of insignificance. No matter who you are, how ordinary, how far you’ve fallen, how vile to Jesus, how lost, how deep your sorrows — as a human each of us can be blessed beyond measure by Jesus the Messiah. Jesus wants us. Jesus gives eternal significance.
– Source: Feeling insignificant
FOR MORE:
Today’s “perilous times” right out of prophecy
Living through our tunnel of sorrows
Patiently bear undeserved suffering …“This finds favor with God”
it’s all so senseless looking, worthless, waste – and
yet there is one ray of light, a hope for now, today, tomorrow, and
…I know the answer is the God who made it all, and
Body by God – Understanding my life’s Care and Content label
The well-guarded soul (There is nothing automatic in my soul…. My will always comes into play multiple times every hour.)
Before a good cup a’ Joe (Me – getting up another day, praying…)
Why pray (We pray because God cares, and He hears what we say.)
Self-talk prayer (Excerpt from: Jesus Knows Your Thoughts)
Wishes and Prayers (difference between a wish and a prayer)
Ephesians 6:18 Prayer changes things
With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [a]God’s people.
6 Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God,
which surpasses all [a]comprehension,
will guard your hearts
and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:6-7
Know that God’s ways are just ways:
Hebrews 6:7 About blessings from God (Matthew 5:43-48)
For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God.
Numbers 15:15 About “the resident foreigner”
One statute must apply to you who belong to the congregation and to the resident foreigner who is living among you, as a permanent statute for your future generations. You and the resident foreigner will be alike before the Lord.
Deuteronomy 1:17 About discrimination
They must not discriminate in judgment, but hear the lowly and the great alike. Nor should they be intimidated by human beings, for judgment belongs to God.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares
“…casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
Jesus said:
33 I have told you these things,
so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace.
In the world you have tribulation
and distress and suffering,
but be courageous
[be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy];
I have overcome the world.”
[My conquest is accomplished,
My victory abiding.]
– John 16: verse 33
The Salvation of ‘Napalm Girl’ Appeared in the December 22, 2017, print edition of the Wall Street Journal.
Excerpt: “My faith in Jesus Christ is what has enabled me to forgive those who had wronged me—no matter how severe those wrongs were. Faith also inspired me to pray for my enemies rather than curse them. It enabled me not only to tolerate those who had wronged me but to love them.
“No matter what type of pain or sorrow you may be experiencing, as Christmas approaches, I encourage you not to give up. Hold fast to hope. It is hope that will see you through. This peace I have found can be yours as well. I pray that it finds you this Christmas.”
Ms. Kim is the author of “Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace” (Tyndale Momentum, 2017). She lives in the Toronto area.
Footnotes
- Matthew 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’[bb] and ‘hate your enemy.’[bc] 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and[bd] pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like[be] your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors[bf] do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
OR read it in the Amplified Bible: Matthew 5:43-48.
- There are no special people in God’s Creation. He died for each of us so we could be saved.
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