We sometimes don't understand God's ways

A selection of verses showing God sometimes solves problems in different ways from how we would like.

When the Israelites are in slavery, the situation becomes worse when Moses, at God's instruction, speaks to the king of Egypt:

Exodus 5 verses 22 - 23

22 Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people. You have not rescued your people at all!”
 

After the Israelites have escaped from Egypt, Moses has problems understanding what God is doing:

Exodus 17 verses 3 - 4

3 The people were thirsty for water there; so the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?”
4 Moses cried to the LORD, saying, “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”
 

The prophet Jeremiah has similar difficulties:

Jeremiah 20 verses 7 - 8

7 LORD, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded. 
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. 
I have become a laughingstock all day. 
Everyone mocks me. 
8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; 
I cry, “Violence and destruction!” 
because the LORD’s word has been made a reproach to me, 
and a derision, all day. 
 

The letter to the Hebrews tells us that problems are for our good even if we don't understand:

Hebrews 12 verses 5 - 7

5 You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, 
“My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, 
nor faint when you are reproved by him; 
6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, 
and chastises every son whom he receives.” 
7 It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline?

The apostle James encourages us to endure trials that are for our long-term good:

James 1 verse 12

12 Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. 
 

These chapters have links to this theme:

 
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