As they abandoned their home surrendering it to the encroaching flames, the husband exclaimed, “Where is God!”, and the wife prayed. Listening to fire reports they knew the house they built by hand twenty years earlier was gone; the shock and not knowing what next began to set in, after all – they were no longer young and able to rebuild.
There are lots of things that may be concerning us right now: fires, loss, COVID, racial tension, political division, isolation, air quality, distant learning, etc. So much to talk about; my goodness, where does one begin? Genesis states “In the beginning God…”, before the earth was – God was, before the fires – God was, before COVID – God was. On the positive side of our situation – there is God! He was with us before it began, he will be with us through it all, and with us on the other side of it; whatever the “it” is.
A few days after the ravaging blaze moved through, my friends received a call from a Park Ranger they knew. The surrounding properties were destroyed, even the trees plus other items on their own land burned – the house remained untouched; the Ranger stated it looked like their home had been covered with a blanket. We celebrate the good news yet it leads to the question; why theirs and not others. Is it because they are a believer and the neighbors were not; but then why did other believers homes or a church burn instead of being spared? Some questions in our moment in history are a mystery.
The song “Though You Slay Me” by Shane and Shane (can be found on YouTube), contains the lines:
“And though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your Name”
“Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song
To the One who’s all I need”
“Though tonight I’m crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You’re still more than I need
You’re enough for me
You’re enough for me”
Trying times reveal what is inside us, sometimes we like what we see, other times we don’t. When we don’t like what is seen it simply lets us know areas we need Holy Spirit to help us in.
Can we strive to, like other heroes of the faith throughout history, now in our present point in time – face what is before us with courage, steadfastness, in faith and surrender, giving worship and praise to God, who has allowed all the concerning matters before us? Can we say as we cry out for this cup to pass from us, nevertheless not my will but Yours’ O’ Lord – and mean it?
In difficult times may we have strength equal to the challenge; may we find encouragement from Gods’ word, His promises and those around us. May we see from heavens’ perspective and dwell on things that are good.
Who knows but that for such a time as this you are here? We all have a reason for being. God has plans for each of our lives.
Are children the only ones who need to be learning? One might think it a silly question as we are always learning throughout life, though not always in a formal classroom setting. Our learning doesn’t just include what we need to know to live in the physical world, but also the spiritual one – 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) tells us “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The stars, clear and bright, twinkling in the night sky as I gaze through the window; what a delight. To put things into perspective, I live in city, though small, the lights and some pollution do not give the best of views. I have become accustomed to the way I normally see the night sky so having a clearer view is a delight. I see more stars than normal with a blacker backdrop for them with the absence of haze.
Is this not exciting times? Who would have thought Facebook would be a place you would see an abundance of gospel messages. I rarely looked through facebook streams because of the post content. Now I see scriptures and encouraging words posted all over, you could almost do a daily devotion from them. When contemplating this article I chuckled thinking – I could just use facebook posts.
I love you much, I hear your prayers, they do not fall on deaf ears. There is a perfect timing for all things. I am opening the doors before you from long ago prayers and some current ones. As you prepare yourself and are dependent on Me, you are now entering a place where you can operate in those areas without them being too much for you to handle. I don’t want to give you what will cause you to fall because of not being ready to carry it or walk effectively as you and I desire. Your trainings and preparation time have not been in vain; nor are you through with all you need to learn – it is a lifelong process. Continue searching to know and understand Me, My ways, My heart, and the answer to those puzzling and mysterious questions. Continue with a hungry heart, open ears and yielded spirit. Be careful of being too busy to have time with Me or in My word. You are a delight, I take delight in you.
I have not forsaken you. I know your plight. Continue trusting in Me and you will see My glory manifested in you.
Why do you fret? Am I not trustworthy? Leave it in My hands, I know your desires; remember how much better My ways are.
Normally when I hear the words “Good Grief” I think of Charlie Brown, not a reference to mourning.
What do you do when your loved one say’s they’re ready to go home – ready to be with Jesus?
Beyond the Silver Coin 