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My wife and I have taught Sunday school classes to children for years. Sometimes these kids say the funniest things.
Once while teaching the story of Noah’s Ark I decided to share some additional details in the story about how long the Bible says it took Noah to build the ark and how Noah lived. One child was a little confused by my sharing of additional details and came home to tell his father, “Dad, my teacher said Noah had been on the ark for 1,000 years. Is it correct?”
Another child, on hearing of a “new Christian class” meeting nearby, said this: “Mr. Hobbs, I did this. I am also a new Christian! I replied, “Are you?” He said in all sincerity and with a smile, “Yes, I forgave Jesus a long time ago!”
At times like these, it reminds me that it’s not just children who can be confused. We adults can be confused too, even with full access to God’s Word and solid biblical teaching.
Going a step further, if we’re being honest, that last child’s comment—”I’ve forgiven Jesus too”—hits closer to home than we first think. Many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, walk around blaming God for all their problems, acting as if He is the one we must forgive.
We often think along these lines. I’m sick (so it’s God’s fault). I’m not doing well financially (God forsook me). I have relationship problems (God put this difficult person in my life).
What is amazing to consider, however, is how often the Bible shows that these kinds of thoughts are common among God’s people.
Think of Job in his sufferings, how he blamed not Satan but God for his great misfortunes (“Although the Lord kills me…” Job 13:15). Remember all the Psalms of Lamentation (“Why, Lord, are you staying away? Why do you hide in difficult times? Psalm 10:1).
We see that God understands or perhaps even expects us to experience anxiety and doubts, he even anticipates that we might take it out on Him.
It is in these times that God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him, deepening our faith. Jesus said:In this world you will have trouble… But don’t worry! I overcame the world(John 16:33).
The next time trouble surrounds you, remember that Jesus Himself went through the greatest trials and sufferings, and He sympathizes with our weaknesses. Use your sorrows as a springboard to grow, not in doubt and fear or blame, but to grow in wisdom and faith.
It’s a truth so simple that even a child can understand, but also so profound that it can take a long time – perhaps even something like 1,000 years – to fully grasp it.
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