Whenever we visited, my husband, sister-in-law, and I did most of the talking. Donnie would sit quietly, rarely offering insights into our discussions. But when he did, everyone would listen. He was usually comical, quick and point-blank. You did not have to wonder what he thought. Truly, that was one of my favorite things about him.

We were discussing a situation one day, and he made a comment that made me laugh. But since then, I have repeated the maxim at different times, realizing the truth behind it:

“God is often blamed for things he never said,” Donnie said in his matter-of-fact tone.

God is often blamed for things he never said. @AJC
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Since that day, I have often witnessed situations that made me recall his words. It’s true – to justify certain decisions, it is not uncommon for even the most faithful believer to convince himself that God approves of attitudes or actions which undoubtedly contradict biblical principles.

Let’s face it – who has not deceived himself into believing that bad decisions or actions were acceptable, even God-honoring. Whether it’s justifying why we cannot forgive someone, honor our parents, put an end to an immoral relationship, you name it – most of us have compromised clear principles, calling sin a good thing.

Now, there is no question that there are decisions we make and certain subjects concerning God’s will for our lives that are significantly more subjective. The Bible does not tell me what I should do next in my ministry or whether I should take that job. We must patiently seek answers such as these through prayer, godly counsel, and then wait for the “peace that surpasses all understanding” before moving forward.

However, for any believer who claims to “live by the book,” there are times when we must remove our hearts from the equation before making a decision, lest we become blind to the dangers lurking behind the pretty face, or the devastation waiting around the corner as we take the wrong turn.

There are times when we must remove our hearts from the equation before making a decision, lest we become blind to the dangers lurking behind the pretty face, or the devastation waiting around the corner as we take the wrong turn. @AJC
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The prophet Jeremiah warned Israel about the deceitfulness of one’s heart. His words ring true still today:

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

In his commentary on this passage, 17th-century minister and author Matthew Henry explains:

“We cannot know our own hearts, not what they will do in an hour of temptation (Hezekiah did not, Peter did not), not what corrupt dispositions there are in them, nor in how many things they have turned aside (…).”

It’s true – given the right condition, our emotions can lead us to paths filled with pain and devastating consequences. And those committed to being led by God through life must realize that he is the only one who truly knows the future and that certain situations or people may “look” good but are not his best for us.

Given the right condition, our emotions can lead us to paths filled with pain and devastating consequences. @AJC
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We face decisions daily. Many will bear minimal consequences. Conversely, the ripple effects of certain choices that may look inconsequential at first have the potential of utterly altering the course of our lives or altogether destroying them.

May we learn to listen to God more carefully, telling our hearts to be still and take the time to sift every decision through the grid of His word. As we do, we will realize that many things we thought he said were nothing but the voice of a deceitful heart.

“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices one makes.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website.

The post God Is Often Blamed for Things He Never Said {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

History is not left without certain data which give us a fair estimate of the actual number of people flooding Jerusalem for the most anticipated annual Jewish feast. According to the Roman historian Josephus, 256,500 lambs were sacrificed that year. Even at the very low estimate of 10 people to each lamb, the number of people assembled would have amounted to almost 2,700,000. That number does not even include the people who were present, but unable to be partakers in the sacrifice due to impurities ascribed by ceremonial laws.

Indeed, the astounding crowd represented nearly half of the population of Galilee and Judea. In other words, a large representation of the Jewish nation witnessed the popular, yet controversial Prophet entering the capital, riding, not upon a war-horse, but on a donkey, which was a symbol of peace.

The men and women who followed Jesus and witnessed his many miracles recognized the incident as a fulfillment of messianic prophecy. They responded by reciting the famous words: “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Shouts of joy echoed throughout the hills and valleys of Jerusalem in response to Jesus’ presentation of Himself as King. However, as one studies the gospels, Jesus’ reaction as He saw the city from a distance looks nothing like the portray of a joyous king. Rather, according to Luke’s account in his gospel, when Jesus approached Jerusalem, where He would be crucified that Friday, He was moved to tears.

“He saw the city and wept over it,” Scripture says. He wept because the people received none of the spiritual blessings that He had come to offer and thus, judgment would come. While wailing in anguish, Christ delivered the prophecy concerning the destruction of his beautiful Jerusalem. The prophecy was fulfilled less than 40 years later, when the Romans besieged the city under the leadership of Titus, leveling buildings, the holy temple and most of the city wall. Over than 600,000 Jews died in the aftermath.

But I imagine Jesus’ sadness as he entered Jerusalem was also in response to a more personal understanding. He knew that the multitudes that waved palm leaves and praised God for the long-awaited Messiah would soon be shouting “Crucify him!”

Close friends — witnesses and recipients of many miracles, who feasted on the bread of life He offered — would soon desert, betray or deny Him. And many of those who welcomed Him would soon cast the votes which would send Him to the cross.

The foreknowledge of the pain of betrayal by those He loved… Could that have been yet a deeper sorrow, hidden behind the tears shed by the Christ? Could the emotional pain be what pierced His heart deeper than the nails driven into His hands and feet?

The foreknowledge of the pain of betrayal by those he loved… Could that have been yet a deeper sorrow, hidden behind the tears shed by the Christ? #MondayDevotional #HolyWeek #PalmSunday
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I believe so. Anyone who has experienced severe physical pain, as well as deep emotional sorrow, understands this truth: Nothing hurts quite as deep as the pain of betrayal. Whether it is the betrayal of a spouse, friend, sibling or child, nothing hurts quite as much or leaves uglier scars.

The knife in our back, driven by someone whom we shared our deepest secrets with…

The physical or emotional abuse promulgated by the most unnatural source – a parent or a spouse…

Things that leave us with scars that never disappear, much like the ones the resurrected Savior showed His disciples on his nail-pierced hands.

And yet, as He hung on the cross, He cried: “Forgive them, Father. For they know not what they are doing.”

His heart released the betrayer, even before Judas kissed his cheek. His loving eyes reached Peter, even before the rooster crowed that third time.

Jesus' heart released the betrayer, even before Judas kissed His cheek. His loving eyes reached Peter, even before the rooster crowed that third time. #HolyWeek #Easter
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And as Palm Sunday arrives tomorrow, and I gladly join the crowd singing Hosanna to my king, His tears on Jerusalem’s hilltop serve as a reminder that the Man of Sorrows understands each time our hearts are broken, and offers us the grace and strength to forgive those who hurt us, yet again.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday – April 12, 2019. 

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