“Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?” (Job 37:16 NIV) I’ve spent the weekend in a friend’s home, therefore the view from my devotions has been different the last two mornings. Today, I entered my moments…
Tag: trust
So often we get silence from God and we assume He’s left the premises. We interpret stillness as abandonment, when truly, He’s working behind the scenes. We must recall: abandonment is not a part of God’s nature.
We, too, try to rearrange the hands of God according to our own agenda. Where Jacob truly was aged and unsighted, our God is ageless and omniscient.
Honestly, most of us are not going to have an affair with a wayward man or woman. But the probability of us engaging in idolatrous behavior? That is quite high. Idols seduce us. Idols drag us away from our covenant. Idols will ultimately lead us to death.
God has placed lovely limitations in each of our lives. These are natural boundaries that He has erected with full knowledge of how they might grow and stretch our souls. These limitations may not feel lovely when we bump up against them, but we know God’s character and He has laid them down in great affection for us, determined to grow us up into His image.
Spiritual maturity looks far different from physical maturity. It’s hands outstretched to receive prison guard or pauper attire. Feet set to follow a path to a place undesired. Spiritual maturity means saying ‘yes’ even when we are wholly unsure about the outcome or dreading the next temporary destination. The relationship with our God always trumps the unpleasantness of our circumstances. We trust our Father to take us Home and we will endure whatever might bring Him glory between here and there.
I have long seen Joseph as a type of Christ, his life given for the salvation of many. But today I see Joseph as a type of us, too. Joseph was so secure in his sonship, so confident in his father’s love, that he happily carried out his wishes, even if that made him a target for the jealousies of others.
Still is a strange word, a little unsettling even. But it is the word that has been chasing me down and soothing my spirit for the last month or so.
All includes a lot. That little ‘all’ requires trust in good times and in bad. On mountaintops and in valleys alike. In excess and lack. In prime health and poor health. On fine spring days and blustery blizzarding nights. In surety but also in chaos. With addition and subtraction. On birth days and death days and the dash that lies between. We are pressed, even dared to trust Him at all times.
Friend, be assured, God makes it all lovely by the very end. Isn’t that a comfort when we wait in the tension of today? In what feels to be the last long stretch of not quite right? Whatever you are facing this morning: lack or loss or even utter silence, take some time to reflect on these scriptures and stretch out your trust once more.