“You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.” These words, found in the KJV Bible at Daniel 5:27, carry the message of judgement. The following verses describe the punishment that accompanied the aforesaid judgement — death. Throughout the Old Testament of the Bible are messages of God’s judgement and resulting punishments — from boils to leprosy to death, among others.

So many people today are crying out “God’s judgement” when negative circumstances arise, whether it’s a broken bone or a hurricane. And along with those words come “why did God allow this to happen?”

It is incredible that people will blame God anytime anything bad happens, and these same people will take personal credit or thank their ‘luck’ anytime anything good happens in their lives. How vain we all are! We refuse to acknowledge that our own decisions and actions play any part in the horrible things that happen in our lives, yet we are all proud-peacock when anything good comes along. Where is truth in all of this?

So this is just a little reminder to all of us: God gave mankind free will way back in the Garden of Eden, and He hasn’t taken it back. He doesn’t step in to stop you when you do something stupid, although He probably tried to dissuade you in one way or another. He also doesn’t stop your NEIGHBOR OR FRIEND from doing something stupid or hurtful to you, although He probably tried to dissuade them. That’s what free will is all about. Mankind is given opportunities and choices and God tries to steer us to the correct path. But we’re stubborn and often stupid creatures (think ‘jackass’), going our own way regardless of warnings and then blaming God for not “stopping” the resultant disasters.

I’m not a great theologian who will debate Scripture in order to make a point. I have neither the time nor the inclination. Please remember: God loves us so much that He gave us His son to be a blood sacrifice for ALL of our sins – including stubbornness and stupidity. So let’s grow up and stop blaming others, including GOD, for our failings and lack. And let’s get back in the game of life with a prayer of gratitude that He hasn’t given up on us, He hasn’t found us wanting because Jesus took care of that, and start asking God before we take that next life-changing step. And try listening this time.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.