“And all the trees of the field shall know that I LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.” — Ezekiel 17:24
“…Which [persecutions and tribulations] is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.” — 2nd Thessalonians 1:5-6
God’s ways are oftentimes inscrutable to us, making both His justice and His mercy seem capricious at times. He looks not just at our immediate circumstances, but to His eternal purpose and glory to be revealed in His plan for each of us.[1] Why do righteous men suffer? Ask Job. Why is a ruddy shepherd boy preferred over tall and handsome Saul? Why are the widow’s two mites more precious than the large tithes of the Pharisees?
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off[2].
We must first of all trust the Lord because His timing and his ways are not always clear, but we know that in His time he will dry up the green tree and make the dry tree to flourish, according to Psalm 1: And he shall be like a tree planted beside the rivers of water, the bringeth forth his fruit in his season.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all[3].
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