The Lord's Good Plan

"He was oppressed and treated harshly,

yet he never said a word.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,

he did not open his mouth.

Unjustly condemned,

he was led away.

No one cared that he died without descendants,

that his life was cut short in midstream.

But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.

He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.

But he was buried like a criminal;

he was put in a rich man's grave.

But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him

and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands."

Isaiah 53:7-10 NLT

There are at least a hundred cases in the United States of innocent people who have been wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death row.  It's heartbreaking to see how their lives have been stolen from them and it's equally as infuriating to think that the justice system failed them so outrageously.  With all the checks and balances in place, this kind of injustice should never occur in a free country, yet it does more often than can be imagined.

Such wrongful death suits are nothing new, however.  Over two thousand years ago a similar case involving a humble Jewish teacher occurred in Roman-occupied Israel.  By all accounts this man spent his time helping others, giving them a new lease on life and showing them wonders never before seen.  He turned the religious system on its head, shaking up the status quo and calling out the hypocrisy found deep within the hearts of its leaders.  With all the good this carpenter's son from Galilee accomplished, he stepped on the wrong toes and thus was sentenced to death, death on a cross.

As infuriating as it is to see that an innocent man gave His life in such a brutal way, it amazes me to realize it was all a part of the Lord's good plan.

Offering.  The once perfect world is now tainted, corrupted and broken by the sin that came through Adam's disobedience (Romans 5:12).  Because of the wickedness of man, relationship with God is impossible.  His holiness cannot abide with such immorality as is found in His image bearers.  Thus He instituted the offering as a way to find forgiveness (Exodus 29:10-14).  So His people continuously laid their animal sacrifices on the altar as a way to find pardon for their transgressions (Leviticus 17:11).  But it was a temporary clemency at best, and only lasted until the next offense was committed, perhaps on the way home from the temple (Hebrews 10:1-3).  

Then came the permanent and eternal solution to this problem of sin.  Jesus Christ agreed to enter into the realm of men, becoming one Himself and presenting His own life as an offering for the transgressions committed by all for all time (Hebrews 7:27, 1 Peter 2:24).  His one perfect sacrifice proved to be enough to satisfy the justice of His Father, and His blood secured the forgiveness for all who repent and believe (Hebrews 10:10-12, 9:22).  Now I can be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ and His sin offering given on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).  I can now find forgiveness from God for as many times as needed (1 John 1:9)!

The brutal, unjust death of an innocent Man on the cross of Calvary was all a part of the Lord's good plan to deliver permanent forgiveness to those who turn away from sin and trust in Jesus.

Gateway.  The town I grew up in was dubbed "The Gateway to Mt Rainier" since visitors to the scenic national park must travel through the small village before heading up into the hills to enjoy the recreation found there.   While this designation may have had a small influence on the local economy, the description made more of a sentimental impact on the hearts of those who took pride in the looming mountain's visual impact on the surrounding area.  The presence of the snow-covered peak made quite an impression and appeared on many logos and signs as the town's defining landmark.

Similarly, Jesus described Himself as a gateway of sorts, but not to a scenic park.  Instead, He is the only way through which one can enter into eternal life.  He is the door that leads to an everlasting kingdom with wonders untold (John 10:9-10).  By turning away from my desire to control my life my way and instead placing it all in His hands, I can discover what it is to have peace with God and hope for tomorrow.  No longer do I fear death, failure, or the future, for my destiny is secure.  By faith I have entered into the family of God and look forward to a place in His heavenly home (John 14:2-3).

The unspeakable death of an innocent Man transformed Him into a gateway through which all who repent and believe can find an eternal, satisfying life.

Victory.  The air itself is oppressive in this world, filled with particles that send the respiratory system into revolt.  Pain and suffering mark it's boundaries and all taste the agony of living in this broken world.  At the end of it all, each man must face death, and the inevitable looms as a dark and unwelcome phantom, striking dread in the hearts of mankind.  I live in a world marked by fear and oppression.

When Jesus gave His life on the cross, He proclaimed victory over sin and death.  While the world remains in a broken state, there is now a way to live in it without becoming tainted by it.  Through repentance and faith in Jesus, I can find peace despite the fact that there is so much to fear.  I can be freed from the shackles that bind me to my flesh that always leads me to destruction and instead walk in liberty as I find the new way of living in tandem with His indwelling Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).  And as I do, I find victory over sin and the end of my life no longer is thought of with great dread (1 Corinthians 15:57, Romans 8:37).  Instead, I look forward to the reward that lies beyond as I stand firm on the promises of God.

The horrible death of an innocent Man delivered by faith victory for me over sin and death.

It seemed wrong, unjust and harsh: This Man, wrongly accused and condemned to death on a cursed cross.  Yet if I look a little closer, I discover it was all a part of God's good plan.  And as such, the sacrifice of Jesus became a sin offering that was permanent and eternal, delivering forgiveness to all who repent and believe, and served as a gateway to an everlasting, satisfying life, showing itself as the mark of victory over sin and death.  In these ways, the worst-ever scenario was revealed as the Lord's good plan.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to put my life in His hands.

When do I trust more in my own effort instead of in what Jesus has already done?

How do I doubt my complete forgiveness found in Christ?

     

In Vain

"Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Psalm 127:1-2 ESV

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, getting nowhere despite doing everything according to the book, perpetually running into trouble no matter how careful you are?  I can relate.  I've had periods in my life when I've tried really hard to make a go of it, to build something significant with my life, to make good decisions that will help protect myself and those I love.  Still, it seemed everything went wrong and nothing ever came of my best efforts.

When going through periods of such anxious toil, I might consider that the Lord's not in what I'm doing, for when He is, my labor is not in vain.

Build.  I have a tendency to follow the world's advice; cultivating ambition, hatching plans, following dreams.  When I do, I fail to recognize Who holds the blueprint for my carefully formed life (Psalm 139:13-16).  I am living in God's world, not the other way around.  It's easy for me to get into the habit of coming up with my own agenda and asking God to bless the work of my hands instead of getting on board with what God is already up to in my life.  

When I'm sensitive to His perpetual design that is taking place all around me, I can join in with what He is busy doing (Jeremiah 29:11-13).  When I do, I'll start building my life according to His blueprint, in His location, by His timetable and using the materials He provides.  When I operate according to this mode instead of my own self-centered way of going about life, I'll find my efforts result in kingdom fruit that will last.

Unless the LORD is given free reign to build my life according to His plan, everything I do to try to make something of my days will be wasted.

Protection.  He had all the insurance that was possible to protect against any kind of scenario.  Money was piled up in the bank and the highest level of security was installed in his home.  He took every precaution humanly feasible but he still lost his life and left his family without a husband and father.  All his well-intended efforts did nothing to stave off the evil of this world.

There is only so much I can do to protect myself and my family from the bad things that lurk in this dark world.  Even if I'm able to foresee every possible scenario and make every effort to guard against it, I'm left completely vulnerable without God's sovereign protection.  He is my best insurance policy, my greatest line of defense, my trusted shelter in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).  With God as my guardian, I need not fear any calamity, crisis or catastrophe, for He has me in the shadow of His wings.  There is no safer place to be, no matter what comes my way.  

Unless the LORD is acknowledged as my best line of defense, everything I do to protect myself from harm will make no difference at all.

Work.  I live in a world that says hard work is rewarded with success.  Therefore, I labor long and persistently, trying my best to make it up the ladder.  I follow advice of those who went before me, doing the same things they did to make it to the top.  Still, things don't seem to click and I find nothing but exhaustion coming from my efforts.  There is this sense that something vital is missing from the formula.

Then I discover a nugget of wisdom from the One who created the world in which I operate.  Who better to go to for advice in how to live successfully?  And He reminds me that I have a Father who desires to take care of my needs, freeing me up to labor in His kingdom, leaving the provision up to Him for the here and now (Matthew 6:33).  As I follow His ways, I come to find a different kind of success, accomplishments that are not recognized by this world but offers reward in heaven where I will find the true fruit of my labor in Him.    

Unless the LORD is trusted as my Provider, all my labor meant to propel me upward and onward will amount to nothing more than spinning wheels and exhaustion that penetrates my soul.

In this life, I'm either working against God, or cooperating with Him.  When I do things my way, living according to my own plan or the design of this world, I will find my efforts in vain.  When I acknowledge God as the Architect, the Protector, and the Provider, I'll find rest.  When I do, the work I accomplish according to His blueprint as I rest under His protection and trust in His provision will bring much success.  This is the kind of labor that finds favor with God.  This is the kind of labor that is not in vain.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him lead me where He plans for me to go.

When do I labor in vain as I follow my own plan?

How am I failing to look for where God is at work marking out my route, trying instead to forge my own path?

Diversity of God's Care

"Can you stalk prey for a lioness

and satisfy the young lions' appetites

as they lie in their dens

or crouch in the thicket?

Who provides food for the ravens

when their young cry out to God

 and wander about in hunger?"

Job 38:39-41 NLT

There is a bat living in the foothills of the Andes Mountains that is the size of a raspberry.  The lungs of the changeable lizard have the distinct characteristic of being the only home for the rare nematode worm.  In all, it is nearly impossible for man to identify all of the life that exists on this diverse planet, but these are two of the most recent discoveries.  Estimates of the total of land animals vary but fall between 1.3 for the amount of species that have been cataloged, and 10 million in all.  

Turning to the tiniest of creatures, the insect world, the numbers are even more astounding.  Scientists have cataloged around 900,000 different kinds of insects, but there could be up to 30 million in existence *.  Thinking about the variety of God's creation boggles my mind.

God put great thought into His creation, and His ability to oversee it all, placing each creature in the perfect environment and faithfully providing for their needs is mind-boggling.  With such a caring and powerful Father as this, why do I worry?

Provision.  Only God knows what I need.  He made me and knows me better than I can understand myself.  He also comprehends my situation, the circumstances in which He has placed me.  With such intimate knowledge of me, He is the only One who is qualified to know my needs perfectly and provide for the necessities of life (Matthew 6:31-33).

Still, I fight for what I think is rightfully mine.  I'm ambitious, going after the things which I find necessary.  I can't rest until I have figured out how me and my family will be taken care of.

If I would know the generosity of my Father, realizing that I can go to Him with these worries, leaving the need in His capable hands, then I would be able to turn my attention to Him and His kingdom, leaving the tedious and time-consuming task of providing to Him.  All that is necessary for me is to know Him and make Him known in my little corner of the world.

God is the perfect Provider for all my needs.

Production.  Only God knows the purpose for which He created me.  This is His world; His production.  And like some complicated play that He has written and produced, He has made each character to fulfill a certain role, to play a certain part, to fill a specific hole.  Without each of us doing our part, realizing our place, and responding to His direction, the show will flop.  While I can't take responsibility for the well-being of all of mankind, I can pay attention to what God wants me to do.

Therefore, when I see Him at work around me, being bothered by a need I notice in front of me, I can step in and do something to share God's love with those who are hurting.  Even if it seems insignificant, I can do my part to the best of my ability, surrendering my fears and doubts to Him so that I can be an instrument of His love in the little part I play.  As small as it seems, my obedience is noticed and makes a difference.  While I may balk at doing what God has placed on my heart, skeptical as to my ability to do such a thing, my willingness to be used by God will uniquely impact the world as I step into the role God meant for me to play (Ephesians 2:10).

God is the perfect Director of this production that we call life.

Power.  Only God has the authority and control to pull all the pieces of my life together.  He is uniquely qualified and equipped to work each part for His glory and for my good.  At just the right time, God is able to put everything where it should be.

While God did give us free will, making it so I must cooperate with His will if I want to see His purposes carried out in my life, He has unlimited power to constantly pursue me in a way that will show me His loving care for me.  It takes power to be able to pull that off for each of His image-bearers.  How can God oversee such intricate details, going after each sheep that has strayed and making sure every child knows of His love?  Now that is power!

With such a God as this, who wants to be known by each of us, how can I resist His advances?  Why would I hold Him at arms' length?  For what reason is there to keep Him at bay?  Not only is this powerful God mighty, but His love endures forever and is impossible for me to fathom.  His love is part of His character, making it impossible for Him not to love me.  Therefore, I have nothing to fear and need not resist His pursuit of me.

God has the power to pull all the pieces of His creation together, working each part into an intricate and beautiful tapestry.

If I had God's job, I would crumble under the pressure.  But God is perfectly qualified as my Provider, the Director of life, and is powerful enough to bring it all together.  If I doubt this truth, all I must do is look around at the great variety of His creation.  With such diversity of God's care, I know I can trust Him in all things.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can turn all my worries over to Him, knowing that He cares for me and is perfectly qualified to love and cherish me in just the way I need.

When do I try to be my own provider instead of letting my Father do His job?

How am I resisting His work in my life?

*http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/science/30species.html?_r=0

 http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/buginfo/bugnos.htm

Behind the Scenes

"If my land has cried out against me

and its furrows have wept together,

if I have eaten its yield without payment

and made its owners breathe their last,

let thorns grow instead of wheat,

and foul weeds instead of barley."

Job 31:38-40 ESV

Job wracked his brain for what he did to deserve such suffering.  In his mind, he'd been unfairly treated, given a raw deal for no apparent reason.  Since I have read his story many times, though, I have the advantage of knowing how it all came about (Job 1:6-12, 2:1-6) as well as what happens at the end (Job 42).  It is apparent to me, and perhaps to you, that God had His own purpose that He is working out behind the scenes.  

The same is true for you and me.

Compliment.  I've heard of backhanded compliments, but this one may be the ultimate.  While it might be nice to think that God holds such a high opinion of my faith that He knows I won't turn from Him no matter what I go through, it doesn't necessarily ease the pain of the testing.  I'm sure it would have been of little consolation for Job to have gained this insight about his circumstances.

Still, it's better to be on this side of God than on the other, where I am known as the doubter who constantly turns away from the truth.  Or as the fearful one who is afraid to fully trust Him.  Or as the lukewarm one who doesn't care one way or the other.

To have my faith tested means that I am treasured by God, that He thinks of me and considers how He can show me what my faith is made of, giving me insight into the power of the Holy Spirit at work within me.  Going through times of trial that are meant to grow my resolve as a follower of Christ, give me perseverance to keep hanging onto the hope I have in Christ (James 1:3-4). It is then that I'll know that my faith is real (1 Peter 1:7).

When I go through hard times, I can trust that God is at work behind the scenes testing my faith.

Limits.  I live in the world that us ruled by my enemy (John 14:30, 2 Corinthians 4:4).  It is his mission, in part, to steal the peace that is mine in Christ, to kill the love God has put in my heart, and to destroy my faith in the God who loves me perfectly (John 10:10a).

While it is his world to rule for now, Satan is not without limits.  It is clear from the story of Job that my enemy must have the permission of God in order to mess with me.  If Satan wants to use a tactic against me, he must first go through my Father for clearance.  Since God is a good God who is for me, not against me, and He has promised that He will work all things for my good, then I can be sure that whatever He allows into my life will bring about fruit (Romans 8:31,8:28, Jeremiah 29:11).

This brings the assurance of God's sovereignty into my trial.  If it's come into my life, that means it has passed through my Father's hands and He has deemed it as necessary for my development as His child.  The suffering is not in vain nor without reason, but will be used to hone my shape into that of Christ's, in the same way that a sculptor uses a hard tool to define the details into his masterpiece (Romans 8:29).

When I go through hard times, I can trust that God is at work behind the scenes overseeing Satan's tactics.

Ending.  "And they all lived happily ever after."  While that ending may only come about in fairy tales, I do have the assurance as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ that He will finish what He has started in my life (Philippians 1:6).  He is faithful to accomplish His purposes in my life.  

Furthermore, while my life may not end the way I expect, I have the hope of heaven where I will be perfectly restored to my original condition.  In other words, the body I now dwell in that is ravaged by sin and darkness will be made new, transformed into an immortal one (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).  This gives me hope as I suffer in this broken shell-of-a body.

Even more exciting is how I will be reunited with my Father who loves me and given a place in His home as His child by faith (John 14:2 , 1 John 2:28-3:1).  The ending is pretty sweet indeed.

When I go through hard times, I can trust that God is at work behind the scenes bringing about the perfect ending.

In the same way that Job was not aware of what was going on out of his sight, I am similarly oblivious to God's hand at work in my life.  Knowing that He trusts me enough to test me, is overseeing the work of my enemy, and will bring about His purposes perfectly at the end can give me courage to persevere.  My suffering is not in vain because God is always at work behind the scenes.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even when I don't know what He's doing.

When do I doubt because I can't see or understand what's going on?

How am I angry because God seems to be withholding good things instead of trusting Him to bring about His best for me?

Cannot be Contained

"But who is able to build a temple for him,

since the heavens,

even the highest heavens,

cannot contain him?

Who then am I to build a temple for him,

except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?"

2 Chronicles 2:6

It burns out of control, fed by the dry grasses and timber, licked up like so much kindling for a campfire.  Before anyone realized it, the fire was threatening thousands of homes, sending many to run for shelter as they grabbed what little they could save from the impending inferno.  Soon, firefighters arrive from all over the region, working together to try to contain what seems impossible to bring under their control.  They work night and day suppressing flames, building fire lines, putting out flames and hot spots, all in an effort to stop the out-of-control destruction.

As difficult as it is to try to contain a wildfire known for changing directions without warning, jumping roads or rivers and gobbling up massive areas of vegetation, it's even more ridiculous to think about containing God.  It seems a bit silly to build a dwelling place for One who cannot be measured, who is above all things, and is greater than all of creation.  How could such magnificence be contained?  

Yet, I try to do so without even realizing it.

Plan.  20-year plan.  Retirement plan.  Career track.  Humans love to make plans.  As much as I desire to know what I can expect in the next few years, only God knows what He has in store for me.  He is the One who holds the blueprint for my life and since His ways are better and more complex than what I could ever hope to generate, I must trust Him to bring about His purposes in the details of my life without expecting to understand the entire scope of His plan (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 40:5, Isaiah 55:8-9).

Still, I love to try to figure out how God is going to work out a certain situation, or through what channels He will provide, or when He will come through.  In these ways, I limit God's plan to what I can understand or agree with.  Instead, it is better if I let God be God, giving Him free reign to do as He sees fit.

I attempt to contain my magnificent God when I limit His plan in my expectations of Him.

Presence.  For treasure hunters, there are many places to hunt for valuables.  Some of the most unusual include in a hollowed-out shingle on the roof of an old house, in a false bottom fashioned at the base of a livestock feed bin, between sheets of shelf paper in a kitchen cabinet or inside of a bicycle tire.

While I don't personally look for such fortune hidden in such surprising places, it does remind me of a characteristic of God.  There is nowhere I can go where He cannot be found.  While I wouldn't expect to find Him in a seedy motel, a strip club, or on a dark street corner where drug deals regularly take place, He is there.  Darkness is as light to Him (Psalm 139:7-12).

Thus, there is no place that is off-limits to God, no hurt in my heart which He does not see, no shame which drives Him away.  

I attempt to contain my magnificent God when I assume I can hide or conceal my heart from Him.

Power.  A change of heart.  Cancer cells shrinking.  The sun standing still in the sky.  There are some things I don't expect to see.  After living in the world for nearly 50 years, I know how things usually work and while I may imagine fantastical happenings, I don't really think I will see them come to pass.  I like to think I have my feet firmly rooted in reality.

Unfortunately for me, God does not work within the limits of my definition of reality.  He is free to accomplish whatever He desires; winning over the heart of an atheist, healing the terminally ill or bringing about that which defies the laws of nature.  God's power is unlimited.

Why, then, do I expect so little from Him?  Instead of asking for healing I settle for what man's inferior efforts can supply.  In the place of tapping into the power He's given me to forgive I harbor a grudge and grow angry and resentful, trying to mask the root of bitterness with my own efforts toward civility.  While I could allow His compassion to flow through me to the unlovable, I opt to avoid their difficult personalities in an effort to shield my life from discomfort. 

I attempt to contain my magnificent God when I bind His power with the bands of rational reality.

In the same way that it seems ridiculous to build a building that could contain God, I often limit His magnificence without even knowing it.  I restrict His plan for me to what makes sense to my human mind or by what I feel comfortable with.  Even more silly are my efforts to hide my self, thoughts or heart from God.  Finally, I end up crippling the Lord's work in my life when I label some acts as impossible or off-limits to Him.  In these ways I attempt to restrain a God that cannot be contained.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop trying to put God in the neat little box I have constructed out of ignorance and fear.

When do I expect very little from God?

How do I limit God's power in my life?  

God's Omnipotence

"If God is for us,

who can ever be against us?"

Romans 8:31b NLT

It felt like he was being bound.  He had God-given dreams and aspirations which he was excited to bring to fruition, but at every turn she stood against him.  Even though he was doing nothing wrong, she fought him as if he were violating some kind of sacred trust.  Would he ever be able to pursue his passion in life without finding continuous opposition from his employer?

It sometimes feels like those who are supposed to be my friends are really my enemies.  Other times there are adversaries God has allowed into my life who oppose me, making it hard for me to follow the path God has laid out for me.  Sometimes I may even find myself as the target of some unseen conspiracy where my every action is met with resistance.  

When I face such hostility, the good news is found in Psalm 118:6 where the psalmist focused on God's sovereignty.  "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?"  Psalm 118:6  When it feels like I can't catch a break from man, I must remember the benefits of God's preeminence as well as His matchless love for me as His child.

God's Favor.  The high priest and his 70 members of the Jewish ruling council were out to get the apostles of Jesus Christ.  This governing body threw the men in jail, jealous of the attention they were receiving as they performed signs and wonders, healing the sick and driving out demons from those who were living in bondage.  Surely their message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was heresy!

Still, the next morning these same men stood in the temple courts teaching all who would listen about this rebel Jesus Christ.  How did these jail birds escape?  When questioned, all they could say is God sent them and they must obey Him.  Then they had the audacity to accuse this sacred council of killing Jesus.  They could not let such claims go unpunished! (Acts 5:17-33)

Then came the voice of reason from one of their own.  The highly respected Gamaliel said, "Leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."  (Acts 5:38-39)

When I am walking in obedience to the Lord's calling on my life, it doesn't matter who opposes me for God's favor surrounds me as a shield.  (Psalm 5:12)

God's Protection.  It seemed risky to follow this path God marked out for me.  If I did what He was calling me to do, how would I survive?  I had no resources, nothing upon which to fall back.  I felt like a fool for putting myself and my family in such peril.

It is easy to think that walking by faith instead of by sight is a foolish endeavor. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Since I can't see the ground before me, I assume I'm teetering on the edge of a cliff, about to plunge down to meet my demise.  As God's precious child, however, I am protected by His constant presence and His righteous right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

Instead of assuming the worst, then, I can expect the best.  In the place of envisioning what terrors await me around the next bend, I can wonder what goodness God has planned for me this day.  While it is natural for me to brace myself against the difficulties I imagine are about to descend upon me, I can instead look forward to the blessings He has stored up for me.  (Psalm 31:19)

When I am doing as God called me to do, His mighty power protects me from harm.

God's Plan.  No one else had succeeded in opposing his efforts.  Until then, every sovereign nation he endeavored to conquer had fallen to his mighty army.  Why would the tiny nation of Judah be any different?  (2 Kings 18:13-37)

The Assyrian king Sennacherib was pretty confident in his ability to continue his plan of regional dominance by running over Judah.  Unfortunately for him, he did not know the power and sovereignty of the God of Judah.  While the other nations called on their gods but still fell, this people was different for they called on the One True God.

When God gives His marching orders, there is not one living, breathing human being who can stand against Him.  As Isaiah said, "When His hand is raised, who can stop Him?" (Isaiah 14:27)  Therefore, if I'm going in the direction in which God has pointed me, there is nothing anyone can do to thwart His plan for my life.  What, then, do I have to fear?

When I am walking the path God has marked out for me, His good plan will not be hindered, no matter how things might look.

Living life as a follower of Christ is not easy:  I often run into opposition of various kinds.  As a result, it is important that I keep God's omnipotent power always in mind, remembering that His favor shields me, His protection is over me, and His plan for my life cannot be frustrated.  With such benefits as these, I have nothing to fear.

As I begin this day may I keep God's omnipotent power always in mind.

When do I forget that God is in control?

How do I easily fall into periods of fear and doubt?  

Self-Fulfillment?

Today's reading comes from my new book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon.

Self-Fulfillment?

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike.  Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.  Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.  Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.   For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.   If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?  Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.   It is written:

‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”  (Romans 14:5-12)

“My life is not my own.”  I can’t count the number of times I disgustingly uttered this phrase under my breath as a mother of triplet daughters and their older sister.  Raising four girls who are within two years of each other was never dull.  In fact, during the early years I had few precious moments to myself, prompting me to utter the above phrase.  As difficult yet rewarding as those years were, God was teaching me through it the truth that we find in today’s passage.  Our life does not belong to us to do with as we please.   In fact, the moment we can let go of the notion of self-fulfillment, the more content and filled with peace we will become.   When we live to fulfill God’s plan for our life, we will feel satisfied and be less inclined to judge the choices others make.  Each of us will stand before God’s judgment seat and answer for our own life; it is not our place to assume to know the choices our brother or sister is making are wrong.  We do not know God’s plan for their lives, only God knows (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Author and lecturer James Hitchcock hit the nail on the head concerning this issue.  He said, “The search for self-fulfillment is endless, and endlessly frustrating.”  If the goal for our life is to never feel a sense of purpose, then we need look no further than our heart’s desire.  But, if our goal is to know that there is a reason for our being, we need to look to God and obediently do His bidding.  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 2:10)    What is stopping us from doing what God has planned for us?  Fear?  Greed?  Selfishness?  Comfort?  Whatever it is, surrender it to Jesus and begin to live for Him.  We will never feel more fulfilled as when we do what He has prepared for us to do!

Instead of shooting for self-fulfillment,

 aim for God-fulfillment.

How are your life choices based on what will bring you the most contentment or pleasure?

Which areas of your life do you most struggle with submitting to God?

Heavenly Father,

I am often led by my fleshly desires.  Therefore, it is my intention that I let go of my own will and let You have Your way in my life.  I know that once I begin this process, I will experience much peace as I walk in tandem with your Spirit.  I ask for the grace and mercy I need to let go of my own ways and let You rule in my heart.

In Jesus’ Name I pray, 

Amen

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Robe of Faith

"The LORD said to Samuel,

'How long will you grieve over Saul,

since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?

Fill your horn with oil,

and go.

I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite,

for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.'"

1 Samuel 16:1 ESV

It was what I had always feared about hiring someone else to mow our lawn.  We were preparing to move across the country so we decided to give our lawn equipment to a neighbor boy who was starting up a mowing service.  Until we actually loaded up our truck and drove away, though, we needed to take care of cutting the grass, so we hired a professional company.  This is how the tragedy came about.  

When the team of men descended on our lawn to mow, edge, trim and blow off the sidewalks and driveways, a death occurred; the annihilation of my ivy, meticulously planted around our mailbox and that of our neighbor's.  Without thought or care, the killer wielding a weed-eater had devastated the planting, sending precious vines this way and that.  As I stood at the edge of the small bed which I had painstakingly weeded earlier that morning, I couldn't believe the carnage that lay before me.

It was hard for me to get that disappointment out of my mind.  Every time I passed by the mailbox, the loss hit me anew.  Throughout the day, it would pop back into my mind.  Then the anger would come.  Why were they so callous?  Wasn't it obvious these were plants, not weeds?  How could they be so ignorant?  Even after the company graciously offered to give us a credit on our account to make up for their infringement, I still couldn't get the violation out of my mind.

Can you relate?  This is how Samuel must have felt, although on a much larger scale.  The people asked for a king.  Against his better judgment but in compliance with God's command, he anointed Saul as king.  The young man grew on him and Samuel got behind this new ruler of the nation of God.  He would do anything to help him succeed.  After all, God's name was at stake.  Then, God took the kingdom out of Saul's hands as a result of the ruler's disobedience and rebellion.  What a disappointing end to the first king's reign.  Samuel was having a hard time getting over such a let down.

It is hard to move past what was lost, what could have been, a failure.  While it is difficult to move on after such a huge disappointment or fall, in times such as these, it helps to remember that God has a plan!

Fill Your Horn

He must get ready.  Even though he didn't know what was coming next, he could prepare in faith, believing God would soon supply a new king.  God said the new king would be a man after His own heart.  Therefore, this promised blessing was something to celebrate!  Despite the fact that Samuel didn't know how this whole drama would play out, he did know that God's plan could be trusted.  Therefore, he prepared for the journey ahead as if all the details were already laid out.  

I don't know what today may bring.  I haven't a clue as to how God will solve my problems, provide for my needs and work out my difficulties.  What I can be confident in, however, is that God is already there.  Every detail of my current situation has already been worked out by my all-knowing, time-defying, all-powerful Father.  All the necessities required for today's life have already been provided, although I may not yet hold them in my hand.  Every obstacle I will face today has already been negotiated in anticipation of my journey.  

Therefore, I can prepare for what is to come, even though I have no idea what that may be.  I can trust God enough to believe that there is something good coming down the pike, readying myself in response.

When my life lies in shambles around me, devastating me to the core, I still have the hope of what is to come, supplied by a living God who loves me beyond compare. (1 Timothy 4:10)  I am not like those who do not know the Lord as their beloved Father and don't have Someone to look out for them.  No!  I have a Father who has designed a beautiful plan for my life, who has designated a path for me to follow, who has prepared amazing things for me to accomplish.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Hebrews 12:1,Ephesians 2:10)  In response, I must live in a state of hopeful expectation, looking forward to what God is about to do.

When it seems nothing good is happening in my life, that I'm marking time in this journey called life, I can be assured that God is working out the details, placing all the pieces where they need to be, and preparing all involved for what is to come.  Therefore, I can get ready to move, being careful not to grow lackadaisical in my current state of perceived stagnation.  When the time is right, God will most likely call me forward at light speed, so I'd be wise to keep on my toes in anticipation of what is to come. (Psalm 77:14-19)

When I am reeling from the series of heartaches I have endured, it is easy for me to give up hope, wondering if God has forgotten about me.  Instead of throwing in the towel, however, now is the time for optimism.  My father of all compassion who is comforting me in my time of trouble will surely bring many opportunities for me to share this same comfort I have been receiving, but only if I'm looking for those openings. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) I must be ready!

When difficulty comes, I can prepare for the good that is to come as part of God's superior plan.

Go!

We only knew one thing:  God was calling us to move across the country.  In the pattern of so many men and women of faith who have gone before us, we decided to move forward as if this move was already a done deal.  Even though my husband didn't have a job in our new hometown, we didn't possess a place to live, and we hadn't yet sold our current house, we proceeded as if all of these things had already happened, believing that God would come through in His timing.

We began contacting moving companies, sorting through our belongings, gathering boxes and packing material, boxing up some of our possessions, selling our furniture and organizing moving sales.  As we moved forward in faith, we saw God at work all around us, providing the anticipated job, supplying a buyer for our house, securing a home loan and guiding us to the new house.  All in all, we were able to see God work in mighty ways because we didn't sit around waiting for things to happen, but stepped out in faith, believing God would deliver.

When Abraham received his marching orders, he had two choices.  He could have waited until he had more details, like what their destination was going to be.  Or, he could start the journey in faith, believing that God would reveal the needed information at just the right time.  As you probably know, Abraham chose the latter.  (Genesis 12:4)

When Noah had been given the blueprint for the ark, he had two choices.  He could have waited until he had the assurance that a flood indeed was imminent.  Or, he could begin work on the vessel that would ultimately save mankind from God's righteous wrath.  As you probably know, Noah chose the latter.  (Genesis 6:22)

When Jesus called His disciples, they had two choices.  They could have waited until they knew more about this fellow Jesus, making sure He really was the Messiah.  Or, they could drop what they were doing and follow Him.  As you probably know, the disciples chose the latter. (Matthew 4:20,22)

My faith is not really faith unless I act on it like these men of faith did, moving forward despite their inability to perceive all the necessary details.  Knowing that God has a firm grasp of what is to come must be enough.  Once I trust Him fully, I will be able to walk ahead in faith despite my own ignorance.

When difficulty comes, I can step out in faith, believing that God has an amazing plan for each footstep I take.

Watch

I planted the seeds nearly two weeks earlier, but still there was nothing.  For the past couple of days, I had walked around the perimeter of the garden, looking for sprouts.  Not being able to see any evidence of new growth, I felt discouraged.  Then I decided to take a closer look.  

As I walked down the center of the garden, squatting down to improve my view, I suddenly began to see lots of tiny shoots.  Delighted with this new discovery, I told my family that flowers were busting out all over the place!  This was quite a departure from my earlier attitude of doom and gloom when I couldn't see the new growth.

This reminds me of my faith.  When I am so busy with the details of my life, intent on checking off my list of things to do and accomplishing all that I think needs to be done, I don't pay much attention to what God might be doing around me.  When I take a closer look, however, taking the time to focus on Him and watch for evidence of His hand, I suddenly see things in a different light.

In the place of only perceiving a day filled with trauma, I realize all the compassionate people God sent my way to minster to me in my time of need.  Instead of only seeing my unfinished tasks that I find to be so earth-shatteringly necessary, it dawns on me that all the interruptions were really God's way of moving me in a different direction than I had planned to go.  While I judged my day as being a waste, spending most of it waiting in line for one thing or another, it hits me that God put me in touch with people with whom I normally wouldn't interact, giving me an opportunity to share the reason for the hope I have. (1 Peter 3:15)

God has a plan I know nothing about. (Isaiah 55:8-9) When I take the time and effort that is necessary to watch for what He is doing all around me, He will reveal great and wondrous things.  My heart will then soar as I revel in the miraculous nature of my amazing Father.

When difficulty comes, I can watch for evidence of God's mighty hand all around me.

It can be hard to get past disappointments and let downs.  Instead of dwelling on what could have been, however, I can prepare for what I believe God will do, move forward in faith, trusting that God will deliver, and watch for how He is revealing His amazing plan as I go.  In these ways I will be able to break out of my mourning clothes and step into my robe of faith!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to step ahead in anticipation of what He will do.

When do I wait to make sure God is calling me before I answer His plea?

How am I hesitating to obey His call on my life because I don't know all the necessary details?