Saturday, August 8, 2015

August 9, 2016

There once was a man who was ship-wrecked and stranded on a remote island. Every day he prayed asking God to send someone to rescue him, but to his disappointment, no one ever came.

Month after lonely month dragged past and out of necessity the man learned how to survive on the island. During this time, he accumulated things from the island and stored them in a hut that he constructed. One day after hunting for food and returning back to his hut, to his horror he saw that his hut was afire along with everything else he owned.

He collapsed to his knees and watched helplessly as all he owned went up in smoke! the only thing he had left were the clothes on his back. After the initial shock wore off he became consumed with anger and rage.

In his fury he looked to the sky, shook his fist toward and began yelling, "God, how could you let this happen to me? I've been praying diligently every day for months begging you to send someone to rescue me. Now all I get is this fire that destroyed everything I have except the clothes I am wearing. Why did you let this happen to me? How could you?

The man so exhausted himself in his grief that he fell asleep on the beach. When he awoke he sat up to catch sight of a ship sailing in his direction. The ship landed on the shore and the man was finally rescued. When he met up with the ship's captain he asked him, "How were you able to find me?"

We were sailing near your island when we saw your smoke signal and knew someone was in distress so we came in to check it out. That's how we found you!

How do you think this man felt after he had doubted God?

Have you ever doubted God?

Have you ever accused Him falsely?

I Corinthians 13:7 says, "It (love) always trusts, always hopes...."

The word used for "trust" means "to give the benefit of the doubt" or "to judge charitably". This poor man in the midst of his trouble and distress forgot to give God the benefit of the doubt. Fortunately God extended the benefit of the doubt to him and sent the rescuers.

Perhaps you can relate with poor fellow's plight. Maybe you feel God has left you stranded in a lonely situation and He seems tone deaf toward you prayers. Perhaps, like him, you have lost hope of being rescued from your dire situation.

What can you do?

I suggest you do as he did. I recommend you decide to give God the benefit of the doubt in your pain or suffering. When you begin doing that you will be amazed at what will happen to you. What will happen is hope will start rising within you!

Where would you be if God ever failed to give you the benefit of the doubt?

Doesn't God deserve the benefit of the doubt from you?