Numbered

It is an age old question: “The thing I can’t understand … is that if God was taking care of her, then how and why did this happen in the first place?”

This is a question that plagues people today just as it did millennia ago. In a way, I believe Christ addressed it.

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-5 KJV)

Neither those of Galilee nor those of Siloam were better, or worse, than anyone within hearing distance of Christ’s words. It not only rains on the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45), tragedies with grief and exhilarations with joy also are split between the just and the unjust.

Christ explained that, though our errors may bring consequences, we are not punished here for our sins.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (John 9:2-3 KJV)

So, why does it appear that God has spared a life? Simply, their time had not come. We each have an ‘expiration’ date. God knows the lifetime of every hair on our heads.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matthew 10:30 KJV)

He knew us before we were formed.

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; (Isaiah 44:24a KJV)

And, as Esther, He has plans for each one of us. If we are spared, there may be His work yet to do.

… who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14b KJV)

Everything we do should be to glorify God.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV)

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11 KJV)

God saves us, not from everyday life, but to be eternally His.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)