When a person looses a loved one there is often thoughts of what if. For example, “What if I had spent more time with the person or what if they had taken better care of themselves.” This morning I had the privilege of going to a families home at 4 am. The family had just lost their mother after a short illness. It was a sad time but also a joyous time as family shared in the love of Christ. I was particularly aware of the husband as he cried out for his wife. They had been married for 64 years, but still yet he wanted more time. No doubt he will have questions about what if.
These thoughts were on my mind as I opened my bible to read Isaiah 46-50, Psalm 74, and I John 4. By the time I arrived at Isaiah 48, I was praising God for His faithfulness in life. Here is what God spoke to Isaiah in 46:4, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” The joy of walking with the Lord is amazing.
But consider Israel who was choosing not to walk with the Lord. “Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!” 48:18. When I read these words, I paused and I wrote, “What if?” What would have been Israel’s story if they had obeyed? The answer to my what if was in the following verses.
Israel would have had peace, righteousness, fruitful heritage, sufficiency for all their needs, a Godly name, and a life that overcame the power of darkness. But instead we find these words at the end of chapter 48, “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked.”
The fact is, there can be no peace for someone who lives with what if’s. I wonder are there any what ifs in your life? Sadly there are those in my life. Days gone by when I failed to redeem the time for God’s glory. Days when I choose to do my own thing instead of following God’s plan for the day.
But thanks be unto God that He remains faithful even when we are not, “even these may forget, but I will not forget you,” 49:15. There are no what if’s with God. When we look at the cross we are reminded that there are no what if’s with the gospel.
It is my prayer that you and I daily seek to obey His commandments. As we are sensitive, surrendered, and carrying out His will we will come to the end of each day without What if’s.