When God Doesn't Act Like God -- Part 1

Have you ever wondered why it seems there are times when God just doesn't act like Himself? He doesn't do what you expect Him to do? The patriarch Job uttered these amazing words in Job 23:8-13:

'Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does."(NKJV).

God has always chosen to reveal Himself to us through His expressed character. He is known for His mercy, grace, faithfulness, compassion, favor, integrity and truth. King David said, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You...You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth."(Psalm 86:5,15 NKJV).

That's Who He is! That's His unchanging, undeniable, unassailable character. No matter who might challenge or raise a charge against His character, no matter who might assault, denounce, or vilify His reputation, He remains the same, unchanged forever. In fact Job queried, "Who can make Him change?" Jesus said God the Father "is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy."(Luke 6:35-36 NIRV). So when we imitate His character, we then become like Him, the true "sons of the Highest".

But here is an interesting observation: God is really easy to love when He is in character! No one ever gets upset with God when He is in character. Whenever He is being merciful, gracious, kind; when He's giving, providing, answering, healing, and helping us; when He's performing His wonders, working His miracles and we're all "feeling the love", He's always very popular. In fact, after Jesus fed the 5,000, He achieved instant popularity, becoming so adored and appreciated that the people tried to force Him into being their king right on the spot! But remember the words of Jesus, "If you love those because they love you, what credit is that to you?"(Luke 6:32).

So if we love God, and serve Him, and stay faithful to Him only when we're feeling the love, and only when He's helping us and doing what we think He should, according to Jesus, that's not really all that commendable, is it?

So how do you respond when God doesn't act like God? When God steps out of character? When God doesn't fully meet your expectations? What do you do then? If I'm faithful to Him only when He appears to be faithful to me, what credit is that to me?

Join me for more of When God Doesn't Act Like God in Part 2.