The greatest challenge many of us face in the circumstances of life is to calmly rest in the reality of our God’s faithfulness. We intellectually believe His faithfulness is an intrinsic aspect of who He is and we confess that belief in all sincerity and without hesitation. Then the test comes. Life suddenly turns upside down on us and we find ourselves scrambling to reverse this change of circumstances as if we’ve forgotten God even exists and cares.
But He does. When Joseph’s brothers sold Him into slavery, God was there. When Israel stood at the edge of the Red Sea and Moses cried out in fear, God was there. When the three Hebrew children were thrown into the fiery furnace, God was there. When Lazarus died and Martha fumed, God was there. When Paul was imprisoned in isolation, God was there. When Jesus breathed His last breath and the hopes of His disciples vanished, God was there.
Joseph became Prime Minister. Israel became a great people in a great land. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out and a great King saw God’s power. Lazarus was raised up and the testimony of Jesus spread like wildfire. Paul wrote most of His NT epistles from prison. Jesus took away our sin upon His death and three days later rose from the grave, giving us New Life.
When things seem dismal, our God is there, working out His eternal plan in our lives! He is faithful in every situation you and I will ever face. When we are afraid, He is our courage. When we are upset, He is our peace. When our faith is shaky, His faith is strong. Even if we are faithless, He is faithful still. When we are confused, He is in control. When we don’t understand, He does.
At Mount Sinai, the people kept their distance when they looked ahead into the darkness, but Moses walked into the cloud of darkness, “where God was” (Exodus 20:21. Don’t be afraid of the darkness because it is there that you will feel your Father’s embrace and hear His gentle reassurance, “It’s okay. I am with you and I have everything under control.” Even when it doesn’t look or feel like it, things will all work out because every detail of your life is under the supervision of Pure Love.
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Estoy de acuerdo estimado Steve! (I agree dear Steve! ) How can we see our father's power and sweet love when everything is under control or there is no need at all in our heart? No, our father comes into sceen just when we are on bad times for that is the way he teaches us that we are in his hands all the time so we can live Isaiah 26:3
ReplyDeleteWe're in God's hands. Hooray. "Our salvation: bought by the Son of God. He took that zealousness for the Law and turned into a flesh and blood person. Live, love, Work in Christ. Let everything you do be for Christ." Recognizing my weakness then asking God, Jesus would you live through me?!" (Fron Rich Catapano.) We are shown mercy like Saul (those who sinned: sinners who lived ignorantly in unbelief,) so we can become Paul and honor God's faithfulness. His faithfulness is there when we're not. faithful. Great blog! Dave C
ReplyDeleteGreat blog !
ReplyDeleteIt's easy for us to read about these old stories like Joseph, Paul etc....and not see how bad they might have felt in their situations.
Imagine how terrified the disciples would have felt when Jesus died! ..and they would have felt like absolute failures for those 2 days....as if life was over for them.... We read the stories from this side of the resurrection, but only as we go through the darkness do we see God showing His faithfulness.
Thanks Brother Steve! How comforting to know that no matter what situation we are faced with that our loving Heavenly Father is right there by our side!
ReplyDeleteGreat is God's faithfulness! He, not us, is faithful. But and if we are found faithful well and good but glorifying God on our part. His faithfulness is unalterable or shall I say unfudgeable. In everything give thanks. great blog Steve. Dave Candel
ReplyDeleteDear, steve...
ReplyDeletei'm very blessed with your writing.. may i translate your blog to our language (Indonesian- the biggest moslem country).. we really need grace teaching as like you wrote...we have Grace community in here, start on last month, but we're lack in resources to share...
thanks for your blessing..