I've been thinking...trying to reconcile complicated life situations with God's unchanging truth. Not having much success...until suddenly the Holy Spirit turned on the light and it made sense!
If the Lord is my Shepherd and I will not lack for anything...
(Psalm 23:1)
If the Lord withholds no good thing from the upright...
(Psalm 84:11)
If my God will meet ALL my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus...
(Phil. 4:19)
If I shouldn't be surprised by painful trials...
(1 Peter 4:12)
If God works ALL things for good in my life...
(Rom. 8:28)
If ALL things are from God, and through Him and to Him...
(Rom. 11:36)
THEN - God will always give me exactly what I need in my life in order for Him to accomplish HIS eternal purposes!
...I will have the Health (or lack of it) that I need for God to accomplish His purposes.
...I will have the Finances (or lack of them) to accomplish God's purposes.
...I will have the Relationships (or lack of them) to accomplish God's purposes.
...I will have the Trouble (or lack of it) to accomplish God's purposes.
...I will have the Understanding/Kwowledge (or lack of it) to accomplish God's purposes.
on and on...
The purposes God desires to accomplish for us and through us are much bigger and broader than we usually expect. Thus, the tools He uses to accomplish His purposes are often not what we expect either.
This is so clearly illustrated in the life of Paul.
-He was beaten and put in prison - he was definitely lacking in some things, like freedom, water, food, sleep, etc. BUT he had exactly what He needed for God to accomplish His purpose of saving the jailer and his family. (Acts 16)
-He had an illness - definitely lacking in health in that moment. BUT he had the (lack of) health he needed in order to preach to the Galatians. (Gal. 4:13-14)
-He experienced a trial that made him despair of life - definitely lacking in hope and confidence. BUT he had the trouble he needed to learn dependence on God. (2 Cor. 1:8-10)
on and on...
This truth has been at work in my life all along. It just finally clicked with me. I may lack in things that are necessary and important, but I will never lack in what I need to see God's purposes accomplished.
The sovereignty of God rules over all.
He always gives us what we need, or He allows need to give us what is best.
I don't always understand God's purposes.
I don't always like the tools He uses to accomplish those purposes.
But I can rejoice in knowing that today, right now, I have all I need to see God's plan for me fulfilled.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -2 Corinthians 9:8
3 comments:
A timely message, friend! I would love to be in the place where acceptance is my FIRST reaction to His assigned purposes.
Joanna,
So glad you got this put down in writing, Love it! Jenn
He is God in every set of circumstances. Trusting Him for who He is ... my greatest doubts of His goodness in my life or others (as I see them walk through terrible events/circumstances) are usually directly related to my incorrect beliefs about His character. Love your words here. Right on.
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