With simple English, Edwards effectively conveys the life and thoughts of John the Nazarite juxtaposed with the thoughts and prayers of his cousin Jesus during the crucial moments.
The thoughts of Jesus towards his cousin John when the latter was imprisoned and awaiting his death ...
You will never live to see your thirty-third birthday, nor will you know exactly why I have called you. Nor will you know if your life on this earth counted for anything. Those long years in the searing desert, you denied yourself of everything this earth affords except food and water, and only enough of that to keep you alive. You did this all for me. Yet, as you face death, there is no evidence that your life was anything but wasted. Have I forsaken you in the hour you need me most?
Despite John's seeming immaculate life of devotion to his Lord, the Lord was silent during John's time of suffering and despair.
Today you are resentful of those who so callously hurt you. But no, not really. The truth is you are angry with God because, ultimately, you are not dealing with men, you are dealing with the sovereign hand of your Lord. Behind all events, behind all things, there is always His sovereign hand.
Will you follow a God you do not understand? Will you follow a God who does not live up to your expectations?
Your Lord has put something in your life which you cannot bear. The burden is simply too great. He was never supposed to do this!
That God should allow John the Baptist to be beheaded in response to Herodias (Herod's second wife) as entertainment for Herod and his guests in spite of John having lived a life completely devoted to God.
But the question remains, "Will you continue to follow this God who did not live up to your expectations?"
The following are excerpts from different chapters in Edward's story book that so powerfully reminded me of the call that the Lord may have on a few and to not be offended by him when things don't happen the way one would have expected of him or others.
The thoughts of Jesus towards his cousin John when the latter was imprisoned and awaiting his death ...
You will never live to see your thirty-third birthday, nor will you know exactly why I have called you. Nor will you know if your life on this earth counted for anything. Those long years in the searing desert, you denied yourself of everything this earth affords except food and water, and only enough of that to keep you alive. You did this all for me. Yet, as you face death, there is no evidence that your life was anything but wasted. Have I forsaken you in the hour you need me most?
"And blessed are you,
if you are not offended with me"
Despite John's seeming immaculate life of devotion to his Lord, the Lord was silent during John's time of suffering and despair.
Today you are resentful of those who so callously hurt you. But no, not really. The truth is you are angry with God because, ultimately, you are not dealing with men, you are dealing with the sovereign hand of your Lord. Behind all events, behind all things, there is always His sovereign hand.
Will you follow a God you do not understand? Will you follow a God who does not live up to your expectations?
Your Lord has put something in your life which you cannot bear. The burden is simply too great. He was never supposed to do this!
That God should allow John the Baptist to be beheaded in response to Herodias (Herod's second wife) as entertainment for Herod and his guests in spite of John having lived a life completely devoted to God.
But the question remains, "Will you continue to follow this God who did not live up to your expectations?"
"And blessed are you
if you are not offended with me"
If we were never to understand why life circumstances are the way they are or if life seems utterly disappointing, unfair, or just completely against what you believe or expect in your pursuit of truth, righteousness and justice ... that we would never take offense or walk away from living the life he has called us to - one of trust in Him and obedience to His bidding in every way.
For in doing this, we abandon ourselves to worship him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
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