Isaiah 55:8-9; “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
I met a man approximately 8 weeks ago at the Macomb County Jail while doing a one on one clergy visit. He informed me he was being charged with a very serious crime and, if convicted, could possibly spend the rest of his life in prison. He informed me of his involvement within his church. He also shared with me the position he held working with a very well-known international corporation. He is a very prominent man of society and a lover of God’s word which gave him the opportunity to teach at his church.
During one on one visits, I do my best to keep the focus on spiritual concerns instead of legal issues. However, this man insisted that I know some things about his case and that he, indeed, was truly innocent of all charges. So without hesitation, my response is always, “if you are truly innocent, God has allowed this for a bigger and greater purpose we may not understand at the beginning.”
Sometime after that visit, I received a call from the family of my friend, stating that he was found guilty on 8 counts and sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison and asked if I would please visit him before he left. I was sure I would find a man very angry at the system and dealing with a whirlwind of emotions. But, to my surprise, I met with a man who had the peace of God all over him. He had no complaint whatsoever about the decision of the jury. In fact, he was more concerned about the welfare of his fellow inmates battling with drug addictions and was asking if there was a way he might be able to help them. He also stated (which really ministered to me) that he was going to “trust God in all this knowing that God has a greater purpose…” understanding that he could be a part of what God wanted to do.
I left the visit, shaking my head in awe – saying, “God, give me that kind of faith and trust and help me remember that Your ways are higher than my ways and Your thoughts are higher than mine!”
Anytime I hear a story like this about a truly devoted man of God charged with a crime that could put him away for life who is claiming total innocence, the huge “WHY?” question comes. And I know that when the why questions come, there’s only one answer and that is, “Because...” Because He is God and we are not. The disciples and many other followers of Jesus didn’t ‘get’ the cross, and we know the big “why?” question came for them.
We look at the story of Joseph: a truly devout man of God completely innocent, but wrongly accused. Joseph spent approximately 13 years in prison, according to Bible scholars. Pilot, during the trial of Christ said, “I find no fault in this man”, yet he was sentenced to death by way of crucifixion.
Whether it be Jesus, Joseph, or my friend in the Macomb County Jail, the Lord God has a greater and bigger plan for those who have to endure monumental hardship to bring glory to Him.
Trusting in the sovereignty of God,
Chaplain Steve Malek