The Between Sundays Archive
Why Doesn’t God Just Fix This Mess?
Restlessness is often a signal our spirit is trying to send us. When peace seems to have left us, it’s often a sign that you’ve left the place of God’s rest, giving more attention to the storm happening around you than to the One who is always at rest.
3 Reflections
If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He fix the problems in the world?
Why not end evil, wipe out injustice, and silence the chaos? It’s the question many ask, and the answer is found all the way back in Genesis. When God created man, He gave him an incredible gift: “They will rule.” He delegated authority, which means, by His own design, God works through people.Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates Himself through His people. He sent Moses to Pharaoh, though He could’ve crushed Egypt in a moment. He called Gideon, Noah, and David…not because He couldn’t do it alone, but because He humbles Himself to act throughimage bearers.
When no one was sufficient for the task, God became the man.
The scandal of the gospel isn’t that God saves sinners; all the prophets knew that day would come. What was inconceivable is that the King of the universe would wrap Himself in flesh. He did what no one else could: he took back the authority Adam lost by becoming a son of Adam. Now, we walk out the victory Jesus accomplished on the cross. The victory of the cross is implemented through the people of the cross; His Body living as His hands and feet.
“The world is not waiting for a new definition of the Gospel, but for a new demonstration of the power of the Gospel.” - Leonard Ravenhill
2 Scriptures
“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me…”
— Ezekiel 22:30“They will rule over the fish of the sea… and over all the earth…”
— Genesis 1:26
1 Action
Ask yourself: Where am I waiting on God to act… when He’s waiting on me to move?
This week, don’t just pray for breakthrough. Ask God where He’s asking for your yes. Could it be that what you thought was difficulty or delay was actually an opportunity to act on His behalf? Somewhere, a gap is waiting for you to stand in it.
Grace and Peace,
NEIL
Who’s Seated on the Throne of Your Heart?
Restlessness is often a signal our spirit is trying to send us. When peace seems to have left us, it’s often a sign that you’ve left the place of God’s rest, giving more attention to the storm happening around you than to the One who is always at rest.
3 Reflections
Before Jesus, our lives were influenced by competing kings.
Fear ruled one day, pride the next. Lust whispered. Greed demanded. Insecurity lingered in the corner. We thought we were living for ourselves, but really, we were puppets. Rival dictators were pulling the strings of our lives.Jesus doesn’t co-parent. He didn’t come to negotiate with your oppressors; He came to dethrone them. He is King of all kings, and when He ascends the throne of an individual’s heart, every other imposter king must bow.
You’ve been transferred to a new kingdom. Paul says in Colossians 1:13 that we’ve been rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son. That means sin, shame, and everything else you inherited from Adam no longer gets to call the shots. You serve a superior King now.
“His kingdom can never be realized in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. … Before any kingdom can come to power, another kingdom must be kicked out.” — A. W. Tozer
2 Scriptures
“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.”
— Colossians 1:13
“No one can serve two masters.”
— Matthew 6:24
1 Action
Ask yourself: Who’s really sitting on the throne of my heart right now?
Is it fear? Lust? Ambition? Anger? This week, name the rival kings still demanding space. Then, dethrone them.
Here’s a simple prayer to help you overcome: “Jesus, I refuse to serve multiple kings. Take Your rightful seat on the throne of my life. I choose to serve You today.”
Grace and Peace,
NEIL
The Announcement of Restlessness
Restlessness is often a signal our spirit is trying to send us. When peace seems to have left us, it’s often a sign that you’ve left the place of God’s rest, giving more attention to the storm happening around you than to the One who is always at rest.
3 Reflections
Restlessness is often a signal our spirit is trying to send us. When peace seems to have left us, it’s often a sign that you’ve left the place of God’s rest, giving more attention to the storm happening around you than to the One who is always at rest.
Proximity is not the same as union. In the story of the disciples caught in the storm at sea, they were with Jesus, but had not yet learned how to rest in Him. Peace that passes understanding doesn’t come from knowing where Jesus is, but from being where He is, hidden in His rest.
When rest becomes a positional reality, storms lose their authority. It’s not the absence of trials that defines our peace; it’s the presence of Jesus as the unrivaled center of your attention.
2 Scriptures
“Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”
— Hebrews 4:11
“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
— Psalm 37:7
1 Action
Ask yourself: What have I given more attention to than Jesus this week…and has that been a contributing factor in the measure of peace and rest I am currently living in?
Shift your focus off your problem and back to the God who has overcome the world. Reclaim your seat under the shadow of His wing.
Grace and Peace,
NEIL