God Knows Best

 

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead, the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel noticed a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel saw this, he questioned the older, “These people have treated us rudely and you repair their house for them?” The older angel replied, “Things aren’t always as they seem.”

The next night the pair stopped at the house of a very poor but hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could get a good night’s sleep. When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their only income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the elder angel how he could have let this happen. “The first man had everything, yet you helped him,” he exclaimed! “The second family had little and was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die!” The older angel replied, “Things aren’t always as they seem.”

“When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was a lot of gold stored in the hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he could not get to it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.”

You are familiar, no doubt, with one of the most famous paintings ever done by an artist: “The Lord’s Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci – that classic portrayal of Christ and the twelve apostles at the table. (A personal interpretation on the artist’s behalf, not a setting that is historically true.) Many students of art history believe that the painting, when first created, was somewhat different from the version which we now see. There was initially, it is believed, an exquisite lace border on the tablecloth. When upon completion, da Vinci invited a group of art students to view his masterpiece. They were immensely impressed by the delicate design of that lacework. They studied it intensely and praised it highly. Upon seeing their reaction, da Vinci took a brush and made a few long strokes across the canvas, obliterating the lace. Then, with uncontrollable feeling, he shouted, “Now, look at the face of Christ!” How easily we take our view off of Christ for some nice distraction.

[Luke 10:38-42] A incident in the life of Jesus is recorded here wherein a great lesson is taught. Jesus came to the house of Mary and Martha in the village of Bethany, on the eastward slope of the Mount of Olives. These two sisters and their brother, Lazarus, were much loved by Jesus (John 11:5) and he would visit with them when passing through the area. Upon entering their house, Martha evidently busied herself with “much serving” while Mary sat down and absorbed all Jesus had to say. Apparently frustrated, Martha approached Jesus and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” In our fast-moving world, with so many things clamoring for our attention, we need to choose “the good part” and take time to listen to what Jesus and His inspired apostles have said to us. Read and study God’s word.

Whenever we have a setback in our life or things don’t go the way we want, maybe that is for the best. Remember, God knows best what we need. “…all things work together for good to those who love God…” (Romans 8:28). God will guide you through His Word.