I was reading Psalm 90 this week:

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, 
From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. (Psalm 90:1-2)

Okay, God, we understand. All of this is yours. You are in charge; it’s your work, not ours.

But You have told us to care for your children, for the least of these. So what is our role? And even more, where are You when our best efforts to touch their lives seem thwarted?

I have to admit that I get a bit frustrated with you here, God. These are your children. Why do You let this world – your creation – treat them like this? Why do your little ones live on the streets? Why are they abandoned and abused and exploited? Why are hundreds of thousands of young girls prostituted every year?

We’re doing everything we can to be obedient… Why isn’t it enough to fix the problems?

Why won’t You make it all better?

…His answer is not easy, and not always satisfying. This is God’s call, not ours. He sees the bigger picture, and understands how things fit together; how they will work out.

We just see the immediate hurt.

Our role is not to be successful, but to be obedient. As much as we want to wipe away all the pain, to take care of every child, to dry every tear, we don’t get to choose the results. God is in charge of results; our responsibility is to be faithful.

Cling to this truth: God loves these little ones even more passionately than we. He holds them in His hands.

He blesses us by inviting us to be a part of His provision for them.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
Establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
(Psalm 90:17)