At His Mercy

"If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one.

If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

Though I am innocent, 

my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.

Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

Job 9:19-20 NLT

Who can stand before God?  Who is His match?  Can anyone claim righteousness?

Job knew.  He understood that even though He feared God and took Him seriously, his best was no match for God's holy standard.  It overwhelmed him, driving him to the depths of despair. Who can stand before Him (Psalm 143:2).  Is there any hope?

Even though Job couldn't see it, God was at work on his behalf, and while it feels scary to be at the mercy of such a powerful, sovereign and holy God, it's right where we want to be.  How do I know this?  Because of Jesus.

My High Priest.  Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year and sprinkle the blood from the sin offering on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16).  In this way, atonement for the sins of the nation of Israel was made.

Jesus, using His own blood from His own sacrifice, stands before God as my own High Priest.  He secured my atonement through the sprinkling of His blood on the cross, unleashing the forgiveness of God, for God cannot extend grace and mercy without a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22, Leviticus 17:11).

This means that without Jesus I have no hope of being reconciled with such a righteous, holy God.  I can never be good enough and no matter how hard I try, I can't reach His standards (Romans 3:23).  Even though God is loving, gracious and merciful, He cannot ignore or deny His righteous, just and pure character.  Simply put, He needs a blood sacrifice to atone or offer redemption for my sins.  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers absolution from my sins and entrance into the presence of a holy God who loves me lavishly (Hebrews 4:14-16).

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my High Priest, giving me free access to His rich storehouses of mercy and grace.

My Redeemer.  Job lived righteously.  Isaiah was willing.  David loved God freely.  You'd think these pillars of faith would have reason to stand boldly before the God they served, yet each were painfully aware of their sin when in His presence (Job 1:1,Isaiah 6:6, Psalm 51:3-5).  

Coming before God makes me all the more aware of how far I fall short and how offensive are my ways to Him.  In comparison to His perfection, my sin feels even more dirty and shameful.  

Jesus, using His own blood as a cleansing agent, washed away my sins, making me to appear before God as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  Even though my sins are highly offensive to God, the blood of Jesus completely covers them, delivering to me the righteousness of Christ as my own (Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is not to say I am now declared perfect, for I still dwell in this sinful nature in a fallen world, yet God no longer sees my sin but only the perfect blood of His Son.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Redeemer, giving me a righteousness I otherwise would never attain.

My Source.  It seems I have to try really hard to do good things for God.  I often believe I must know all the answers to give an explanation for the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15).  If I want to make a difference for Christ in this world, I have to work hard.  Right?

Wrong.  Jesus is my source.  It is only when connected to Him that I will be able to do anything of eternal value (John 15:5).  He is the One who transforms me and works through me, enabling me to speak truth, extend love, and share grace(1 Corinthians 15:10).  It is He that finishes what He started (Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:6). I am simply a conduit of His grace.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Source, giving me all that I need to live for Him.

It is overwhelming to realize my spiritual bankruptcy before a God who has very high expectations.  In the face of such perfection, I see how unrighteous I truly am.  Thankfully, there's Jesus.  Through Christ I have a High Priest who makes atonement for me with His blood, a Redeemer who cleanses me and presents me as holy and righteous before God, and a Source who delivers all that I need to live a life pleasing to God.  Even though I am at the mercy of God, I need not fall into despair because great is His mercy through Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always stay connected to the Source.

When do I go it alone?

How am I sometimes desperate to impress God with my efforts?

True Freedom

"In the past you have encouraged many people;

you have strengthened those who were weak.

Your words have supported those who were falling;

you encouraged those with shaky knees.

But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart.

You are terrified when it touches you.

Doesn't your reverence for God give you confidence?

Doesn't your life of integrity give you hope?"

Job 4:3-6 NLT

Job's friends started off on the right foot.  They supported their friend in silence, sitting with him in loving comfort while he grieved the loss of his children and wealth.  It was their intention to console him in his suffering.  So deep was his sorrow and severe his physical condition that they hardly recognized him.  They mourned with him and recognized his suffering as "too great for words" (Job 2:13).

Then they opened their mouths.  

The first to speak, Eliphaz, had the audacity to rob Job of his need to lament.  Even worse, he failed to empathize, minimizing Job's suffering.  Somehow, this insensitive, cold-hearted friend had come to believe that life would be peachy-keen as long as one does the right thing.  Unfortunately for him, he fell into believing the fallacy of the formula for a happy, carefree life.

Power.  Life is what you make it.  

              You are the author of your own life story. 

              "Believe in yourself.  Have faith in your abilities.  Without a humble but reasonable                  confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."  Norman                        Vincent Peale

              "If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's                     plan.  And guess what they have planned for you?  Not much."  Jim Rohn

I'm surrounded by worldly messages telling me to make my own way in life. That it's up to me whether or not I succeed.  I'm told that I have what it takes to make my life what I want it to be.  

Using this mindset, then, it follows that I have the power to live right, to plan my own destiny, to write my own ending.  Accordingly, it follows that it is up to me to go after the life I want without ever asking God what it is He has planned for me.  I end up applying my own limited capacity toward my efforts to be self-disciplined, trying hard to keep away from what is bad and stick to what is good.  Thinking I can conform my life into my own mold, I assume anyone who is experiencing hardship or trial must be doing something wrong.  All it takes, I reason, is for them to get back on track and things will fall into place.

In reality, I have neither the capacity to do good nor the ability to save myself (Romans 7:18-20).  I'm hopelessly lost without the God who graciously gives me each breathe I take (Acts 17:25).  Without Jesus, I am nothing and can do nothing of worth (John 15:5).  

Buying into the belief that I have the power to make something good out of my life denies God's sovereign power.

Pride.  "Look at this great city of Babylon!  By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor" (Daniel 4:30 NLT).  Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon did not suffer from a lack of self-confidence.  He drew such pleasure in admiring his handiwork and liked to think it all came about by his own savvy planning, through the sweat of his brow and as a result of his hard-fought position and authority as king.

Then God set about humbling him.  After seven years of living like an animal in solitude among the beasts of the field, he acknowledged God's position, giving Him praise and glory (Daniel 4:28-37).  He came to know the hard way that, "those who walk in pride he is able to humble" (Daniel 4:37).

I often need a similar season of chastening.  I begin to think it was my hard work that got me where I am, that any success I enjoy is by the sweat of my brow, and while God may have opened the door, it wouldn't have flourished if it wasn't for my consistent effort.

The reality is that only God has the plan for my life and it is only His wisdom that can choose the right path for me.  Thinking otherwise drives me to judge others, determining that their struggle is due to a lack of focus or an unwillingness to apply common sense to their problems.  In other words, I begin to think I can fix anyone's problems by using my own formula for living.

In the same way that God placed Nebuchadnezzar in his position as king for His own purposes, He has a reason for placing me where I am (Jeremiah 27:4-7).  Once I begin to deny this truth, I start believing man has what it takes to direct his own paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Buying into the belief that I have the wisdom to know which path is best for me denies God's purpose and unknowable plan (Jeremiah 29:11).

Penance.  It seems too easy.  There must be more.  Surely I can't get off Scott-free?  

Forgiveness for sins through faith in Jesus Christ does seem too easy.  Even though Jesus declared atonement finished and salvation secured as He suffered on the cross and gave up His life, I often think there must be some part I must play, a role I am required to fill, or a duty I must carry out (John 19:30).  After all, I think, it's my sin so I must receive some kind of punishment.  Right?  Wrong!

In dying on the cross out of obedience to His Father's plan, Jesus accomplished all that is necessary to cover my sins and usher me into my Father's holy presence (Hebrews 10:19-22).  It was His blood that cleansed me from all unrighteousness (Isaiah 1:18).  Forgiveness is already mine due to what Jesus has done (1 John 1:9).  There is nothing left for me to do but simply believe (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Oswald Chambers explains it this way.  "When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God;  and by the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done."

I often slip into the belief that I must suffer a bit for my sin, that there must be some kind of punishment due me for how I have fallen short, or that I am not worthy to receive forgiveness unless I make some kind of effort to do better.  This mentality leads me to project this lie onto others, refusing them the absolution that is freely theirs through faith in Christ.  Instead, I expect others to try harder, to get their act together, or to be truly sorry for their sin.  Instead, all it takes is simple faith in what Jesus has already done to secure their salvation. 

Buying into the belief that I have to perform some kind of penance in order to receive forgiveness denies the power of Jesus' blood to cover all sin.

It's easy to think my life will be fine as long as I work hard, do what is right, and make up for my sins through selfless service or some other form of penance.  This line of thinking is all wrong, though, as it denies God's sovereign power, His perfect purpose, and the power of Jesus' blood.  When I fall into this fallacy of the formula for a happy life, I'll soon find I'm projecting my faulty expectations on others.  Instead, it is my desire that I let God choose for me, trust in His plan for my life, and fully realize my dependency upon what Jesus has already done.  In these ways I'll walk in true freedom.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God fully with my life.

How do I attempt to control certain facets of my life in an effort to follow my own path?

When am I most at risk of thinking I am the captain of my own destiny?

  

Why Life?

"Why is light given to him who is in misery,

and life to the bitter in soul,

who long for death, but it comes not,

and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

who rejoice exceedingly

and are glad when they find the grave?

Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,

whom God has hedged in?

For my sighing comes instead of my bread,

and my groanings are poured out like water.

For the thing that I fear comes upon me,

and what I dread befalls me.

I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;

I have no rest, but trouble comes."

Job 3:20-26 ESV

Job was struggling.  He lost everything dear to him, and then the misery extended to his health as sores covered his body, bringing intense physical suffering.  He wondered, What's the point of my life?  Why can't I just die and end this pain?

Why indeed. . .

Purpose.  God is a promise-keeper.  His Word is solid and can be trusted.  He never changes His mind like man often does.  Therefore, when He makes a proclamation of some kind, I can believe without a doubt that He will live up to His Word (Numbers 23:19).

One of God's promises concerns His ability to transform all the ugliness of my life into something beautiful (Isaiah 61:3).  He never allows hard things into my life just for the sake of pain.  No!  As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ I have the assurance of His purposes being manifested in my life.  Everything, then, that He places His stamp of approval on, will be used to further His plan for my life.  Nothing is random or arbitrary.  On the contrary, it all is deemed as necessary for my development as His child (Romans 8:28).

This means that there is meaning in the suffering.  God could be using it to test my faith to see if it is real.  After all, anyone can profess a confidence in God when everything is going well, but true faith endures through the fire (1 Peter 1:6-7).  The hardships may also be used to grow my faith, strengthening it and driving me closer in relationship with my Father so that I will learn to hang on to Him through any storm (James 1:2-4).  Sometimes, God allows hard times into my life so that He will be glorified through the ugly circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).  In all, the choice is His to make, not mine (Romans 9:14-16).

God chooses to extend my life through the difficult times because He uses hardships to fulfill His purposes.

Perspective.  Whenever I recover from a cold or the flu, I gain a fresh appreciation for my good health.  Similarly, it's easy for me to get used to the good and fail to appreciate how many ways God has blessed my life.  When I go through trials and tribulation, however, I long for the ordinary which I took for granted.  After the storm, I find myself treasuring every moment as a gift from God.

My perspective is often relative.  For instance, when I compare my life to that of someone I admire, I may feel discontent in contrast.  Or, if I'm used to hot weather and I visit a cooler state, the pleasant summertime temperatures may feel cold in comparison to what I'm used to.  Or, if I usually put hot sauce on my food, it may taste bland without it.

For this reason, I often need a wake-up call of kinds.  I can easily be lulled into a state of apathy, failing to really appreciate all the good I've been given.  Once I make it through hard times, however, my regular life starts to look pretty good.  

God chooses to extend my life through the difficult times because He uses it to give me an appreciation for His goodness woven throughout the ordinary.

Power.  Life hums along according to my plan.  I set a goal then work hard to reach it.  I'm forward-focused, constantly following my strategy for my life.  I feel empowered, like there's nothing I cannot achieve.

Then the unexpected happens.  Out of nowhere, I'm hit with a crisis, then another, until I find myself on my knees in desperation.  Help me, God!  Why is this happening?

It's easy for me to think I've got everything under control, that my life is mine to direct, that there's nothing I can't do if I put my mind to it. I can believe that until I come face-to-face with God and His sovereignty.  I forget that He is the one in control and only He knows the plan he has for my life.  Furthermore, nothing happens apart from His approval.  In other words, I've been lulled into a false sense of power.

There's nothing like a crisis to set things into the proper balance, teaching me how little power I have and how much I need God.  I am helpless without Him.  I can't even take a breathe apart from Him!  I live in the world He created and He is the One who keeps it all humming along.  Therefore, the reality is that I am completely dependent upon Him, whether I realize it or not.

God chooses to extend my life through the difficult times because He uses it to show me my great need for Him.

Life can be hard.  When the difficult times come, it's easy to want to give up, thinking there is no longer a reason to continue living.  God, however, has His reasons for keeping me around a little while longer.  He wants to use the suffering for His purposes, to give me a new appreciation for the life I often take for granted, or to show me how much I need Him.  I have not been placed on this earth to experience a comfortable, pleasant life.  Instead, I've been put here to live in relationship with God, which is where I will experience abundance beyond my wildest imaginations (John 10:10b, Ephesians 3:20)!  

Why am I still here even though I suffer so?  God has His reasons. . . and I can trust Him through it all.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can treasure the life God has given to me, even if it's not turning out the way I want it.

How do I have my own expectations for my life that have nothing to do with God's plan?

When am I failing to depend on God for His power to endure?      

Really?!

"Then the LORD asked Satan,

'Have you noticed my servant Job?

He is the finest man in all the earth.

He is blameless--a man of integrity.

He fears God and stays away from evil.

And he has maintained his integrity,

even though you urged me to harm him without cause.'"

Job 2:3 NLT

Wasn't it enough?  Hadn't he faced ample suffering?  Did his faith need further testing?  Hadn't he proved himself loyal to God?

It sometimes seems like God is toying with me, pushing me beyond what is necessary.  The truth is, however, He has His good, unfathomable reasons (Isaiah 40:13-14).

Bad with the good.  My idea of a good life is where I am protected from suffering, hurt and difficulty.  If I really think about it, I want a little taste of heaven here on earth.  I expect the world to be the proverbial bowl full of cherries.  If this is true, then, in the words of Erma Bombeck, "what am I doing in the pits?"

Job understood God's sovereignty more than I do. He realized that letting God be God means taking the bad along with the good.  It means things won't go according to my plan because God has something bigger and better in mind.  Even His concept of bigger and better is far different from mine.  Assuming my life here on this fallen earth is going to be all good is a mistake.  

Where, then, is my hope?  If I can't expect all good all the time, what's the point?  My hope is in Jesus Christ and what He can do through the bad.  My hope comes from how He will use every bad thing to transform me into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29).  My hope comes from the realization that this place is not my true home;  I have something far better to which I can look forward (Hebrews 13:14, John 14:1-3).

Walking with God by faith means taking the bad with the good.

Others tested.  She hurts so much she cannot sleep.  Her slumber is often interrupted by bouts of pain.  So great is her suffering that she cannot leave her home.  In the midst of such agony, her beloved cat dies in her arms.  How can she bear such heartache?

It is hard to see others suffer.  When those around me are hurting, it's sometimes hard to know what to do.  Part of me wants to comfort and encourage, another is ready to judge and fix.  How I respond shows where my heart is.

The heart of Jesus is to weep with those who weep.  When he encountered the deep mourning of Mary at the loss of her brother Lazarus, he was deeply moved, so much so that he wept with her (John 11:33-38).  This is our calling as His followers (John 12:15).

Does God sometimes allow suffering into the lives of others to grow the bonds within the body of Christ?  Is His concern for the strength of the church greater than His interest in my welfare?  Does He allow trouble to give opportunities for His family to come together?

Walking with God by faith means sharing in the suffering of others.

Lessons.  Until I saw it with my own eyes, I couldn't comprehend its height.  Standing at the top, however, and looking at the vista spread out before me, I gained a new understanding of how tall the Sears Tower was.  Standing at 1451 feet above the ground was similar to what it would look like to make it to the top of Mt Rainier in Washington state.  My respect for great heights grew that day.

God's ways are similarly higher than mine in ways I have a hard time comprehending.  I often think I can see what God is doing, or guess how He will operate, or assume I know in what way He will come through.  The reality is, however, that I have no idea.

I can't truly grasp God's superior sovereignty until I'm taken somewhere that goes far beyond my own ability to understand.  As I submit to His plan for my life, I gain a greater appreciation for His preeminence.  If I choose to fight His mysterious ways, I will go forward in anger and bitterness, questioning why a loving God would allow such suffering.  It all boils down to God having the right to do what He sees fit to do.  

Walking with God by faith means learning hard lessons about the sovereignty and supremacy of God.

It's hard to know why God allows suffering, especially when it seems I've endured enough already.  Living in relationship with Him, though, means I must let Him lead me through the valley of the shadow of death at times, trusting that He is with me.  I can learn to take the bad with the good, to respond in love to the suffering of others, and to realize His preeminence; I just can't expect to fathom His ways.  Then, when I feel like saying, "Really, God?"  I can instead say simply, "God."  I live in His world, so yes, really.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can give up my rights to direct my own life.

When do I assume God will never take me anyplace bad?

Why do I think I should be protected from suffering when the world is filled with it?           

God's Choice

"He said,

'I came naked from my mother's womb,

and I will be naked when I leave.

The LORD gave me what I had,

and the LORD has taken it away.

Praise the name of the LORD!'"

Job 1:21-22 NLT

The worst had happened.  His greatest fears had been realized as he lost his family and his wealth, all in one day.  Wave after horrible wave of news arrived, seeming to knock the air out of his lungs.

In the midst of the horrible revelation, in the middle of learning the worst, while he was still numb from shock, Job recognized an important truth about God:  He is sovereign.  What does this mean for me?

I won't get it.  I always thought it would be hard to serve in the Army like my husband did for 24 years.  During his years of service, he was expected to follow orders, even if they didn't make any sense.  It is important for a soldier to learn how to do as their told so when the moments of heated combat come, there will be no hesitation in putting the battle plan into action.  When everyone trusts the commander enough to follow his orders without question, success is more likely.

Living my life as a follower of Christ is similar.  The difference is that my Commander is all-knowing and understanding.  He knows exactly what is needed to draw my attention back to Him, to hone my faith, and to further His purpose. God has the perfect solution for every problem.  He has His own ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, my role is not to expect to be able to comprehend His reason for allowing certain difficulties into my life, but to simply trust Him.  He does have a plan.

Trust is not dependent upon my ability to understand what is going on and why it is happening.

He's still good.  It's all good.  It's one of my least favorite phrases in today's modern vernacular.  It sets my teeth on edge when I'm facing something hard and I hear the loathsome phrase.  How can they say this is good?  It's far from it!  

While it's true that God will use all things for my good, the circumstances, difficulties and just plain ugliness is not good (Romans 8:28).  What I can say with all certainty in the midst of the sorrow, grief and misery is that God is good.  He is a noble God who is worthy of praise and His purposes are always beneficial and what's considered as His best for me.  As a result, I can always praise Him.

Praise to God is not dependent upon my circumstances.

No guarantee.  I love a money-back guarantee.  It allows me to try a product or service for a period of time, testing to see if it's worth my money.  If I don't like it after the trial period, I can get my money back.  If I found it to be worthwhile, then I can keep it as my own.  That way, there is no risk.

Why do I find this benefit to be so helpful?  Maybe its because I want to see for myself if something is good instead of simply taking the word of the clever marketing scheme:  It's hard for me to think I might be taken advantage of.  I want the security of knowing I won't lose time or other valuable resources while testing the veracity of the promise.

The problem comes when I translate this same desire to life.  I've not been promised tomorrow, yet I assume it will be there.  I can't expect things to go the way I think is best, yet I usually want it my way.  The direction my life takes is not my choice to make, yet I like to think I can control the outcome if I try hard enough.  Life can seem an awful lot like gambling.  

Since following Jesus takes a risk as I give up my autonomy, rights to my self, and independence, I must also see that there are no guarantees in general.  As a result, I can look at each day, every opportunity, and all the openings I receive as gifts.  Since I don't know the plan God has for my life, I must trust Him in each moment, taking all that He gives with a spirit of thankfulness (Philippians 4:6-7).

Thanks is not dependent upon what might be but entirely based on what is.  


There is no question that life is hard.  It is filled with times of suffering, difficulty and trial.  When these inevitable times comes, I could get angry at God, losing my faith in Him, failing to praise Him for anything, and withholding thanks until things feel better again.  Or, when the crisis hits I could continue to trust Him even though I don't get what God is doing, praise Him for His goodness in the midst of the bad, and thank Him for all He is to me.  In these ways I am realizing what Job did:  What comes my way is God's choice.


As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to not expect to understand.

When do I think that I can't trust God because He is allowing such pain into my life?

How am I being narrow-minded and selfish in my view of God and His purposes?    

No Formula

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job,

and that man was blameless and upright,

one who feared God and turned away from evil."

Job 1:1 ESV

I like to think that if I live right, am faithful to God and seek to please Him, He will bless me with a trouble-free life and protection from evil.  Examining Job's life, I see this can't be true.  Why not?  Why can't I expect a smooth ride in return for my godly choices?  There are several reasons.

Mysterious Purpose.  In the midst of the heartache, Job lamented his birth and wanted his life to end.  So great was his grief that he yearned for peace and release from such a heavy burden (Job 3).  Behind the scenes, however, God was busy working out His mysterious purposes.

Since I am not God, I have no clue as to the reasoning behind His actions (Isaiah 55:8-9).  I can't answer, "Why?"  I don't know what He's up to.  The only thing I do know for sure is that He is up to something.  And that something is good (1 John 1:5, James 1:17).  

God has His own purposes of which I cannot fathom.  Even though He doesn't reveal why He allows suffering into my life, He has clued me into the what.  What outcome can I expect for me as I love Him and am called according to His purpose?  It will be His best for me (Romans 8:28-29).  It will be a part of the cleansing, lifelong process that sets me apart for His use.  It will help to conform me into the image of Jesus.

Since God is the keeper of the "Why?", I am to concern myself with the "Who?"  Ultimately, God is in control.  Since He's a good God, I can trust Him to be the gatekeeper of my life, filtering out those things that will bring harm and somehow, mysteriously, weaving the hurtful and difficult into a breathtaking masterpiece that could come about no other way.  

When I go through hard times I can remember that God is guided by His good yet mysterious purpose.

Different Economy.  It's upside-down, backward, and opposite of this world.  I live in a culture that rewards hard work with material success, that is generous to those who give and stingy toward those who are powerless and have nothing to contribute.  Value is placed on what can be spent, consumed or enjoyed.  Popularity is achieved by the beautiful, funny and entertaining.

In contrast, God's kingdom is a place where rewards are heavenly and unconditional generosity is the rule not the exception (Matthew 5:12, Hebrews 11:13-16).  The things that are deemed as valuable are intangible and eternal while each life is equally important and precious (Matthew 6:19-21, Psalm 139:14).

Since God's kingdom is so different from the world in which I temporarily dwell, I must remember that my reward for living in relationship with God will come later.  I can't expect Him to give me what He has in store for me now, but in eternity where things will be as He created them to be.  Until then, I can realize that my desire to please God with a heart that is dedicated to Him will not go unnoticed by my Father whose eye is always on me (Matthew 10:29-31).

When I go through hard times I can remember that God is saving up a reward for my choice to stay true to Him (Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58).

Character-Focused.  The conditions were ideal.  Temperature, humidity, and soil pH levels were closely monitored.  Harmful substances were strictly prohibited and the plants were shielded from the extremes of the elements.  Vegetation will grow well in such a perfect environment.  In order to truly test their hardiness, however, they must be transferred outside into the real world.

Similarly, it would be easy to stay true to Christ in such a protected environment as a greenhouse plant enjoys.  There would be no pressure to stray, no temptation to lure me away from Him, no harsh environment to plant seeds of doubt into my heart.  But would my faith be real?  Would my intention to follow Jesus really mean anything in such ideal surroundings (Job 1:8-10)?

The only way to find out if I mean it when I say I love Jesus more than anything, is to place me into the fray.  As the temptations come, the losses hit, and the trials enter, I'll learn if what I profess so confidently to be true has penetrated my heart.  If I keep looking around me, fretting at the harshness of the temperatures, the strength of the wind, or the life-threatening power of the storm, I'll see that I don't really trust God as much as I thought I did.  Worry and anxiety then rules my heart.  

If, however, I look up, keeping my eyes trained on Jesus who gave me my faith and is always at work refining and bolstering it, I will begin to see that my faith is real (Hebrews 12:2).  It is only through the difficulties that my faith is purified and tested (1 Peter 1:6-7).

When I go through hard times I can remember that God is testing and purifying my faith.

I desire a carefree, comfortable and enjoyable life.  If I am to follow Jesus in a world that is dedicated to everything that goes against Him, however, I must expect difficulty.  As a child of a Heavenly Father who loves me, I might expect that He will shield me from all harm if my heart is devoted to Him.  If so, I'll be disappointed because the truth is that God has His own purposes that are a mystery to me, operates under a different economy, and is more focused on my character than on my comfort.  Therefore, I must realize that there is no formula to live my best life now.  Instead, I can strive for His best, a far, far different thing.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay focused on Jesus, especially when the going gets rough.

How am I more dedicated to my comfort than to letting God have His way?

When do I despair when hard times hit, forgetting that God has a purpose through it all?

  

Last-Minute God

"A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law

in every province and made known to 

the people of every nationality so that

the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves

on their enemies."

Esther 8:13-14

For over two months they must have agonized over the message of the first edict issued at the hand of Haman (Esther 3:12-14).  Their destruction was imminent.  In a few short months, the people of God would face mass slaughtering, ethnic cleansing, a holocaust, with no mercy for women, children or the elderly.  There was nothing they could do to prevent their complete annihilation.  The waiting for such horror must have been a kind of nightmare.

God's timing is perfect.  To me, however, it seems He waits too long, creating this drama, tension, and the perfect conditions for worry.  Why would He drag things out, resulting in the suffering of His own?

Part of faith means I have to trust God in the midst of the crisis, believing that He is always at work.  Just because I can't see what He is doing, like the Jews scattered throughout the kingdom were not aware of what was happening in the lives of Esther, Mordecai, King Xerxes, and Haman, culminating in events that would ultimately bring about their salvation, I can't always see behind the scenes to witness the hand of God.  Still, I can choose to have confidence in God who is my Savior, my Protector, my Sovereign Lord.

Faith is not a natural quality.  It is a gift of God that is honed and refined through trials and tribulations.  He uses the difficulties of life to teach me to trust Him as the deadline approaches, D-day draws near, and the worst threatens to happen.  The darkest moments are often just before the dawn.  

Why is He a last-minute God?  He has His reasons.

Power Made Known.  Softening the hardened heart.  Opening the door sealed shut.  Making a way where there is none.  There is much that is impossible, at least for man.  For God, however, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

While this is true, not everyone believes it.  Some have never witnessed the mighty hand of God.  Others deny the existence of a Higher Power.  A few would rather think God is a distant Being who doesn't interact with people but leaves them to their own devices.  

When God comes through in a way that no one can explain, His power is made known to all who witness the miracle. Doubts are extinguished, skepticism is overcome and qualms are quenched.  When circumstances work out in an unusual way, the attention its peculiarity brings shines a spotlight on God's might.  When God is allowed to choose for His people, those watching may sit up and take notice.

Waiting on God's timing results in His power being made known.

Sovereignty Made Known.  There were too many details.  Coincidence could not explain it.  Things worked out in a way that no one expected.  Obviously, there is a master plan about which I have no clue.

When I moved across the country with my family, it was our expectation that we would buy a house in a small community close to the water.  As we traveled, it became clear that this was not what was going to happen.  After struggling for a couple of weeks to find a place to live, a door suddenly opened.

Even though we would have never chosen our current rental on our own, now that we live here, we are finding opportunities to praise God for His sovereign plan.  His way is far superior to ours. 

As I walk with God, letting Him lead, others will discover the dominion He has over the details of my life.  Those watching will learn that He is in control of all things, weaving together a marvelous tapestry with each thread of my life.  They may even want such a loving Father ordering their own footsteps as well.

Waiting on God's timing results in His sovereignty being made known.

Glory Made Known.  Some think life is a crap shoot, that things simply happen as they should, that each is a product of their own destiny.  Without anyone at the helm of their life's ship, it steams on, ending up wherever the current takes it.

I know better, however.  It is my intention that everyone know of the greatness of my God, that I can make much of Him in the details of my life, and that I give Him all the credit for every bit of goodness.  I want many to know that only God could choreograph such a perfectly orchestrated dance.

If everything happened the way I planned, the way I wanted it to be, the way I dreamed it would be, then it would be done according to my puny, limited scope.  Since God is the One with the sweeping, unrestricted vision, letting Him lead means things will happen in a way I would have never expected, making it obvious that my life is designed by His hand.  Then, He will get all the glory for the great things He has done, is accomplishing, and will complete.

Waiting on God's timing results in His glory being made known; He gets all the credit.

It's hard to understand why I often have to wait to taste God's provision, salvation or protection.  If I trust Him through the crisis, however, I will find that His power, sovereign plan, and glory are made known to all who are witnesses.  While I may think God is late, He often works at the last minute so that all will know that He is the Lord my God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God as I wait.

When do I feel discouraged as I wait instead of believing God is at work on my behalf?

How am I desiring my own comfort more than God's plan?           

After the Storm

"That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther

the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews.

And Mordecai came into the presence of the king,

for Esther had told how he was related to her.

The king took off his signet ring,

which he had reclaimed from Haman,

and presented it to Mordecai.

And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate."

Esther 8:1-2

God's way is far superior to mine (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Often, though, I avoid the very thing He uses to grow my faith, build my confidence in Him, and further His plan.  I want a clean, orderly life where I am in control of what I experience.  This, however, will rob me of the good that comes through the storm.

Restoration.  Job experienced it (Job 42:10-17).  Nebuchadnezzar, proud king of Babylon, knew of this characteristic of God (Daniel 4:36).  The nation of Israel tasted this many times (Joel 2:25-27).  God is a God of restoration.

I grew up as a Girl Scout and there was one principle that was drilled into me.  Every time we went camping, or hiking, or participated in any outdoor activity, we were always asked, "Did we leave this place better than we found it?" This guideline of good stewardship has stuck with me through adulthood.

In the same way I learned to try to improve upon the spaces I utilize in life, God uses the same kind of principle.  As a lavishly generous God, when He restores what was removed due to punishment, testing or the attack of the enemy, He loves to give me more than what I had before.  He delights in improving my situation, topping my previous best, or prospering my life in some way (not always materially).

Thus, I have hope.  When the night is the darkest I can choose to believe the light will come.  When chaos seems to rule I can choose to trust God to bring order and beauty.  When nothing good can be found I can choose the path of faith, knowing without a doubt that there is unseen goodness all around me.

If I can endure through the trial, I will find that God is a God who delivers restoration after the storms of life.

Elevation.  I live in a world where self-exaltation is taught.  I am encouraged to think highly of myself, to believe in myself, and to work hard to promote myself.  Since I'm naturally inclined to be self-centered, selfish and self-conscious, I readily buy into this mindset.

Coming into contact with Christ, however, as my personal Lord and Savior, I find a different principle at work.  In God's kingdom the first will be last and those who desire greatness must strive for servanthood.  Instead of seeking to promote myself, then, I learn I am to submit to God and His plan for my life and He will be the one to do the exalting (1 Peter 5:6, James 4:10).

The funny thing is that while I live according to my flesh, I want nothing more than to be recognized, to be noticed or to be promoted in some way.  As I grow closer to Jesus, though, He works to humble me and I find my priorities shifting.  What once was so important now means very little (Philippians 3:7-12).  When God does elevate me to a higher profile, then, it is more of a responsibility than an achievement.  Instead of my chest swelling with pride over my position, my head bows low out of a desire to bring glory to God.

If I can endure through the trial, I will find that God will lift me up.

Tables Turned.  Drugs were sold.  Gangs convened.  Mischievous youth hung out.  Vandalism and raucous behavior ruled.  Our neighborhood swimming pool was more of a cesspool of sorts, attracting all sorts of darkness.

Through the love of God, however, that place was turned into a center for youth and family activities.  Instead of loitering hoodlums, little girls and boys listened to stories and made craft projects.  In place of trouble-makers overtaking the facility, teen girls looking for positive reinforcement began showing up.  While Saturday nights used to be the pinnacle of partying, it was changed to a time when families could enjoy a wholesome movie together and have a fun time with their neighbors.  God has a way of turning the tables on evil.

Satan may mean something for destruction, but God can turn it into something edifying.  The world has an agenda that destroys families, but God can use that very campaign to bring about sustenance and healing.  Evil seeks to ruin but God is always at work building up.

If I can endure through the trial, I will get to see the tables being turned.

It can be hard to stand firm, holding onto my faith during hard times.  The storm can get so strong that I'm tempted to let go, giving in to my doubts and fears.  If I hang on, though, I will discover that God restores what was lost, elevates those who are humbled, and turns the tables on evil.  In so doing, I discover the good that comes after the storm.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to hang on as the trial swirls around me.

When do I look for the path of least resistance instead of holding firm to what I know?

What kind of restoration do I need in my life?