What is God doing?

I have asked this question many times.  I am asking it right now.  As we live in the tension of the now and not yet of the Kingdom of God, it is hard!  God, what’s the purpose?  How are you going to work this out?  This seems too hard. Why is that wicked person getting blessed?  Why is that righteous person struggling?  What is going on?!

I have just started the book of Esther in my Bible reading plan.  Where is God in this book?  He is never mentioned.  Is he present?  

This is one of those places where the literary genius of the Biblical authors shines through.  By not mentioning God, we ask the question.  Where is God?  What is he doing?  The author then leaves us to see if we can see God at work in this book.

God is extremely active in the book!  The book is full of “coincidences” such as Mordecai overhearing the assassins or the king being reminded of the incident before Esther makes her request. God uses morally ambiguous people to prevent genocide of his people and bless them.  

This is often how we live today. God, what are you doing? I don’t see angels or audibly hear your voice.  Are you at work?

Do I have eyes that see?   There are “coincidences” around us all the time.  Are we connecting the dots?  Are we believing the promise that God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose? (Rom 8:28)  We see it in the Esther story because the author tells the story in a way that makes it obvious.  

God is being just as obvious in your life.  He is actively working on your behalf.  Sometimes we are sitting in sackcloth like Mordecai, staring at the problem without a solution.  We have to keep walking in faith, trusting God.  He will show us some more dots and we will see how this problem led to God’s glory and our good.

Do you have enough faith to keep walking with God?   This is the question every person must answer every day.  Sometimes, we stop and sit.  God keeps working.  Sometimes we walk with him.  God keeps working.  Sometimes we run with him.  God keeps working. Sometimes we fail. He works with that, too.