In this time of economic and political struggle in our country, I am especially comforted by the attribute of God that He is Omniscient. He knows all things.
Ecclesiastes 3:10-11 (NIV) says:
"I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
When an unexpected bill or unforeseen event throws a curve ball my way, I can choose (after my initial panic) to trust God still. He is not surprised or caught off guard.
In Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) Paul tells us who to trust and worship:
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us”
So, if God is able, what’s up when no answer is forthcoming? This has been a question of much discussion since the beginning of man’s relationship with our Creator and one I am not able to answer satisfactorily. At this point in my life, I am striving to accept the unexpected as an opportunity to trust Him without ‘knowing’ or even ‘understanding.”
Not being especially gifted in the patience department, this is a stretch for me. In order to do...resting in Him… I repeat scripture to give myself a focus and something to hold on to. Such as 1 Peter 5:6-8 (NIV) “6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” And Romans 8:28 (NIV) “28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Truth be known, I prefer to ‘keep my ducks all in a row.’ I like the feeling of comfort I get from doing something. In my experience, the only time the unexpected is an issue is when it is not fixable by me. So when I say I am striving to trust, I mean I am literally teaching myself to rely on and accept the One who gave up His own son on the cross, even for me.
John 8:32 (NIV)
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Written by Mary M. Wilkins
Thank you Mary for sharing these thoughts! I was just discussing this very topic with a friend this week in terms of suffering and God. Sometimes God answers but it isn't what we expect to hear, so we don't recognize it as an answer, like "wait" or "no" or even "trust me" as you have said here so well. Those are answers too! God doesn't give us what we want, but what we need.... thankfully!
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard topic. In his message yesterday Brother Thomas from Nigeria reminded us that there is no rule that God has to show us what he is doing. It is just up to us to believe that He IS working on our behalf and to trust that.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary,
Blessings