"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God..." (Romans 8:28).
What a terrible thing it would be to come to the end of life and face the last and most significant measure of darkness, death itself, to be passed through by faith and be found wanting. And why might that be? Could it have anything to do with the many foreboding circumstances of this life where I've refused to trust the Lord, not going through to His intention with me? Oh, how we doubt the bird's-eye view He has of us to come. If only we believed, we could so quickly come to that resolute stance with Him that "I am my beloved's, and (know with certainty) his desire is toward me" ...in all things (SOS7:10). His sovereign orchestration of especially the hard things, hard places and hard people have a benefit, a future and hope for me. My shaking and baking are for a glorious making of me, though my flesh craves with self-interest "sugar and spice and everything nice"!
As enclosed gardens, brethren, our Gardener is looking for fragrances in us we know not of and His toil over us is to bring us to a place of willingness to say, "Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits" (SOS4:16). Take heart and have faith in the going through with Him...
"He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light" (Job12:22).
"I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel" (Isa.45:3).
It's the deep and dark circumstances, though difficult to face, that have the most to offer to our faith's increase. They tend to be the inspiration to let go of every self-centered hold we have on this world and our way to instead get a grip and "lay hold on eternal life" (1Tim.6:12, 19).
However, am I still in question of the sovereign will, order and care of a God who has written Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"? Have the hindrances to fulfilling my own desires caused me to now live and write my own version of the Bible? Am I making God after my image or letting His order of events conform me to His image? Faith doesn't grow by saving self. Faith overcomes with receiving what proceeds from His mouth and walking it out.
Let's faithfully go through in all that comes our way giving God the opportunity to reveal His purpose and faithfulness. We have no reason as believers to come up short of faith in our getting-up-day when we have faith for the fight to manifest His life now!
Remember, Father knows best. Enter into the joy of Your Lord!
- DSC
| Contact Us | < To Next Entry | To Previous Entry > |
