The Lord Is Your Keeper

Ps.121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Comments from the ESV Study Bible:

“The help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, and therefore no other power can hinder it.”

“The verses are dominated by the word ‘keep’ (to keep, guard, watch over, attend to carefully): the Lord who keeps Israel also keeps you. This means that he will not let your foot be moved (i.e., slip as you walk), nor will he let you suffer from the dangers of day and night.”

“…the Lord is your keeper at all times; he will neither slumber no sleep. Not only is God all-powerful, he is ever-watchful. This is the confidence the faithful are to enjoy.”

He Is Not Safe, But He Is Good

Luke 7:1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant [1] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion [2] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

As I read this passage, this morning, I was once again reminded of Kevin DeYoung’s message at Next. The incredible power of God is once again on display. Christ’s astonishing display of compassion and mercy is once again clearly shown. How can the two mix? Jesus power over His creation and His compassion over His creatures. What an amazing God! I’m having difficulty putting into words the awe that this passage puts in my heart. God is so awesome! A couple of things stood out to me…

1. The humility of the centurion. He doesn’t come himself. He sends men that will have more influence than he, a lowly centurion. He doesn’t come to meet Jesus. He doesn’t want Jesus to come into his home. He is a Roman. He is in command of 100 men. He is probably wealthy and influential (he built the local synagogue). Because of the Roman occupation, he could have commanded Jesus to heal his servant. Yet, he asks.

2. The faith of the centurion. He is aware that Jesus is very powerful. He is aware that anything Jesus commands will happen. There is no need for Jesus to see or touch the servant. One word would heal him. The centurion knew that Jesus was in command of all. The ESV Study Bible comments on this: “The centurion responds, in effect, ‘I too do things because of the authority given me, so how much more can You!’

3. The power and kindness of God. It always boggles my mind. God is so powerful. He is in command and control of everything. He doesn’t have to care. He doesn’t have to show love, mercy, and compassion. Yet, He chooses to pour out His love onto His unlovely creatures. (Which proves that He is completely OTHER than me.) Jesus commanded the servant to be healed from a distance. This blows me away. It shows just how in control of health and the universe Jesus is. No sight or touch is found in this passage. The Creator healed the creature. End of story. Nothing human or physical is needed. This fills me with awe. When you begin contemplating the power of God, you get a little scared. He’s not the safe, loving God we as Americans have created. This reminds me of Narnia:

“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly.  “Certainly not.  I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea.  Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts?  Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?  Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.  He’s the King I tell you.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

God isn’t safe, but He (the King over all) is so good! Not only is He my Creator, Lord,  and King; but He is my Savior and Father. What a privilege, what an honor. I have an ongoing, personal relationship with the Creator, with my Lord and King, with the Savior of my soul, and with my Father. All power combined with unending mercy. Why do I ever doubt?

Gratitude & God’s Fatherly Disposal

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you…Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:8-9, 11-13

I’ve never connected the dots between gratitude/thankfulness & peace. But, in verses 8-9, Paul is commanding the Philippians to think on everything that is worthy of praise & excellent. Think on everything that is pure, lovely, and commendable. What is the natural outflow after you think on good things? For the Christian it should be praise and gratitude towards their Creator & Redeemer. I think the “practice these things” (following Paul as he followed Christ), was tied in to the list preceding it. What amazes me is what Paul promises, “and the God of peace will be with you”. If you obey, if you think on good things, the God of peace will be with you. In other words, if you act like who you are, if you strive to look/think on good things, you will be grateful. And when one is grateful, one is full of the peace of the Savior. Gratitude turns us from ourselves to our Savior. That upward gaze fills our heart with peace. The presence of God that will never leave us.

I was also struck by the second half of this passage. Paul speaks of contentment. He speaks of being content no matter his circumstances. No matter how good or terrible they may be. I have often struggled with the phrase, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am content”. How can he say this? How is it possible? As much as I strive for contentment, I never perfectly achieve it! This statement seems impossible for my soul to make. I want to make it, but I am just too disquieted and sinful. But, this morning, it hit me. Paul did not make himself content. Paul also wasn’t saying that he never struggled or wished things were different. The secret didn’t lie in his frame of mind or what he did to make himself content. The secret was in the Rock of his soul, the Anchor to which he clung. His secret: “I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me.” His contentment wasn’t from himself. it was the grace and power of God that produced it in his soul. It was God’s doing. How often do I labor for contentment in my own strength? Shouldn’t I be asking for Him to produce contentment in my life? Contentment is produced by a quiet resting in the One Who holds me in His hand…

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.

– Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

Shunammite’s Obedience

2 Kings 8:1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” 2 So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5 And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”

 

As I read this passage, I was struck by 3 things.

The Shunammite’s obedience. She packed her things, left all that she knew, and went to a foreign country. That is blind obedience. Elisha told her to go. She knew that he was speaking God’s words, so she went. No questions, no “what ifs”. She left for seven years. What must have gone through her head? She left all of her land, her home, her crops, her friends…everything.

God’s providence. The Shunammite woman arrives home and someone has taken possession of her land and house. She goes to the king. Elisha’s servant just “happens” to be there recounting the story of Elisha raising the Shunammite’s son from the dead. And the woman and her son walk in the room. What would have happened if Elisha’s servant would not have been there? God clearly orchestrated everyone to be at that place at that exact moment. That just wows me. God is so powerful and in control of everything!

God’s blessing. God rewarded the Shunammite for her obedience. Not only did He provide while she was away, but He restored her lands and home back to her. And if that wasn’t enough, she received the produce (which I would assume was probably the money/profit from the land) of those seven years away. She obeyed and God watched over her. She was making money and not even having to work for it. God abundantly provided. She didn’t deserve the provision. She was asking for abundance. But, God in His mercy and kindness, choose to give her more than she needed, expected, or had asked for.

Grace To Those Who Hear

Do people hear grace when you speak?

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

I read this yesterday during my quite time. I’ve read this verse countless times, but yesterday it came alive. Many thoughts assailed my brain. There are so many things you can glean from this text. Here are a couple that came to me…

1. No corrupting talk. This is a command. It is not an option. Paul isn’t saying “Hey, I know it’s tough, but if you think about, try and keep those corrupting words off your lips.” No, it’s an absolute command. There is no way to get around it. No way to interpret it differently. No means none. Absolutely none. Zero. Nada. Zilch. No corrupting talk…absolutely nothing unkind, crude, contemptuous, slanderous, disparaging, divisive. If it corrupts, it should not come out of my mouth. Ouch!

2. As is good for building up, as fits the occasion. This phrase particularly struck home. It’s easy to assume that if you must speak gracefully, that you are always sticky sweet. You know, that sweet southern belle, the kind of person that niceness just drips from. She never says an unkind thing, but she also never confronts. What comes out of our mouths should be good for the occasion. Sometimes that means asking hard questions. Sometimes that means reading Scripture instead of running my mouth. Sometimes that means gently correcting my brother or sister in the Lord. It may mean not speaking. It may mean pointing out evidences of Gods grace. It may look like reminding my friend of where God IS working. It may be complimenting them on a new outfit. It may be kindly challenging them. There is no cookie cutter way to build up, it depends on the occasion and how the Holy Spirit is leading.

3. Grace to those who hear. What do people hear from my mouth? Do they hear grace? Do they hear the gospel? Are they more aware of God’s gracious working in their life or what they do wrong? As someone once asked, “Is my life a sweet aroma of the gospel?” Do I speak graciously? What do people hear the most from my mouth? Impatience? Things of this world? Or The Main Thing? Is it very apparent (in my speech) that The Main Thing (i.e. the gospel) is The Main Thing in my life?

4. Point 4 is a continuation of point 3. Do people see grace from my actions? I can communicate much and never speak a word. Does grace (and the gospel) permeate every aspect of my body?

After all of that, I realize just how far I have to go. And the temptation is to be overwhelmed with guilt and then to do nothing. But, that is when one of my favorite Bible verses comes into action… “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God…” I cannot change myself! Only one thing can (and does) change me. The power of God. The same power that spoke the Universe into existence, is the power that changes my sinful heart! I rest in the truth that, “He who began a good work in you will finish it to completion.” I must repent where I have sinned. And then I come to my loving Savior and beg for His help. Knowing that He gladly gives grace to the humble. Oh, the glories of the gospel! Oh, the amazing privilege of being a child of the King! It’s a hard journey, but, oh it’s so worth it! Sanctification is so difficult, but so exciting! I love looking back and seeing what God has done. It gives me so much faith for the future!!!

How about you? What do people hear from you?

I Live By Faith

Galatians 2:19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Ever have a passage that you're read a million times come alive? Last night I was talking to Katie about fighting against sin and trusting God to change you. That change isn't about works and performance, but glorifying God. That steady obedience that slowly moves us forward. Then, this morning I read this passage. How appropriate. The law has been fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled every single command and satisfied all of God's requirements. I stand before God clean and completely forgiven. Now as a child of God I try to be like my Father. I try to obey and please Him. But, not to attain His favor (I already have that!). I am so grateful for His forgiveness that I want to be like Him. I want to do the things He asks of me. But, try as I might, I cannot do anything to please Him. I don not have the ability to be like Him. Because of His death, I have died to sin. I now live with Him, He lives in me. He gives me the power to change. It is because of His grace that I do anything right. I walk by faith. I live by faith. Faith in an Ever Faithful Savior. Oh, the glorious truths of the gospel!!!

My Grace Is Sufficient

…“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Do Not Lose Heart

2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self [1] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Be Childish

Mark 10:13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Be childish. What? I was always told to act my age. When you’re an adult, who wants to act like a little kid? You’ll just look stupid and immature if you do. But, in Mark 10:13-15 that is what Jesus says to do, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child shall not enter it.”

Why would Jesus say this? I think there are many reason and conclusions that can be drawn from this. But in the context of the chapter, I think He was telling the disciples that the kingdom of God was for everyone, children (they were of little use and unimportant in Bible times) included. And that you cannot get saved unless you have a simple, child-like faith in Jesus and what He did on the cross.

I started thinking what child-like trust looks like. Yes, I’m saved and a member of God’s kingdom. But, do I have a child-like faith in God as His child? In all of life do I have that simple faith?

Over the years I have babysat a lot! Children are usually very trusting. They trust you to feed them well. They never question (because it doesn’t exist as an issue in their minds) if the food is healthy, fresh, or safe to eat. You have given it to them, so they know it’s ok. You take them to the store. They don’t question the condition of the van, your driving ability, or the weather conditions. They willing trust you, no questions asked. You take them to the playground and they are thrilled. They run around playing and do not worry about anything. You are there, why worry?

Do I have this child-like relationship with my Heavenly Father? Do I trust and willingly follow His lead with no questions asked? Do I trust Him with the future, laying it in His hands (and leaving it there)?

I have adult-like trust. I know God is in control. I trust Him most time. I trust God, yet I sit and imagine every possible path my future may lead. And then I worry about every single one of them. Instead of enjoying where He has lead me, I anxiously analyze every possibility in my path.

You have to plan, you have to make decisions. but, do you worry? Do you have child-like trust or do you analyze the safety of the playground? Elizabeth Elliot has said that God does not give grace for our imaginings. Why worry over what you have no control over? Just as a child has complete faith and trust in their parents, shouldn’t we/I have complete faith and trust in the Creator of the Universe. Who is also my Father, Savior, and Comforter. I have the Trinity planning and orchestrating my life…tell me again why I worry?

God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. [1] 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

No Temptation

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

- 1 Corinthians 10:22

Great Is Your Steadfast Love

Psalm 86:1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.

8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant,
and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Trials Produce Faith

Mark 9:14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

I smiled when this passage was on my Bible reading plan this morning. Mark 9:14-28 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. As God has taught me much about faith in the past couple of years, this passage has been very comforting. I often pray the father’s prayer, “I believe, help my unbelief!” as I am praying and pleading for my Savior’s grace and strength. I decided to read the ESVSB commentary on this passage today. I was struck by one comment in particular.

The father merely seeks help through Jesus’ miraculous powers: if you can do anything. Jesus corrects the father’s statement by calling him to put his trust in God. I believe; help my unbelief! The father immediately confesses that he has some faith but also acknowledges his spiritual weakness and appeals to Jesus to create in him a hear that believes more firmly.

As I read this, I had an aha! momement. Over the past 3 years the Lord has led me over difficult paths. I have learned more about faith and trust than I ever expected to. I’ve also learned how much unbelief is in my heart and how much I do not trust the Lord. I have often used the father’s prayer to plead with my Savior for more faith. To trust Him like I should. But, faith hasn’t magically come. Actually, more trials have. The paths haven’t become easier, but harder. My faith has been challenged more. This morning I realized that this is an answer to prayer. I’ve asked for more faith. I’ve asked for an unswerving trust in my Savior. God answered. He could have instantly given me the faith I asked for. But, He didn’t. He gave me something far better…trials. Trials that have taught me faith like nothing else could. As I have watched my Savior’s faithfulness and care, as I have watched Him carry me through; I trust Him more. My faith in my God’s sovereignty, care, and love for me has increased ten fold. I am more confident in my Father’s mysterious care now, than I have ever been. How awesome is it to realize that God has been answering your prayers! How amazing to look back and see what He has done in me! It gives me fresh faith and joy for tomorrow. I do not know the plans He has for me. I do not know where He is leading me. But, I do know that He is good and faithful!!! I can trust Him to lead me wherever is best for me. And that friends, is an exciting place to be!

Joyfully Being Used???

Mark 6:53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

This is amazing. Jesus lands on the shore and was immediately mobbed. How did these people know Him so well? If I’m reading scripture right, He’d only been in Gennesaret once (or twice). How did they know to bring the sick? How did the entire countryside know of Jesus? Because of a man who obeyed when he didn’t want to…

Mark 5:18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

To this man nothing could be better than following Jesus. Nothing made more sense. Jesus had just healed him and delivered him from a legion of demons. What else could a person do but serve Him? I can see this man asking Jesus as he begins to climb into the boat. I can see the expectation in his face, of course Jesus would say yes. How confused the man must have been when Jesus told him no. Instead he was supposed to go home and tell his friends and family what God had done. How unglamorous (I don’t think that’s a word!)!!! You’ve been miraculously healed. You have your life back. You want to devote the rest of your life to serve the One who saved you. You want to be His most devoted follower. And Jesus accepts his offer…but, not the way the man was thinking. What went on in the man’s head as Jesus said no. Was he tempted to anger? Was he confused? Was he tempted to doubt? Amazingly, the Bible doesn’t record his temptations and/or sin. Did Jesus have to correct his attitude? Did the man pause? I’m once again amazed that Scripture isn’t emphasizing sin and failure, but the end result (grace and obedience). All it says is that he went and obeyed. I wonder if he wanted to? Was he disappointed?

But, he didn’t waver. He was given an assignment and he did it! When I read verse 20 I see a joyful and excited man. Running around, eager to share what God had done for him! Not only did he obey, but I bet he obeyed with joy. God was using him differently than he wanted, but his joy was found in obeying God. However God wanted to use him, he was happy. He had been saved from a life of torment and misery…he was happy to be used however the Savior chose. The end result? EVERYONE MARVELED. And this was the same region that Jesus came back to. When Jesus came back, they welcomed Him (they had sent him away the time before). He was mobbed with people. They brought their sick and they were healed. He was able to minister to many Gentiles…why? He used the obedience of one man.

Do you wonder why God has you where He has you? Do you wonder, grumble, and complain? Take heart! It’s okay to wonder (the Psalmist did all the time). But, do you submit and joyfully obey while you ask questions? It’s interesting in Psalm 16 the Psalmist says:

Psalm 16:5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

But, if you read the preceding verses, his life wasn’t easy and happy. Yet, his hope, his anchor, his refuge was in God. Not in understanding his circumstances. Not in having a perfect life. He clung to the truth of God’s Word and chose to joyfully obey, even when he didn’t understand. God gave him the grace and power to do this. He didn’t conjure up the feelings and performance. Even obedience is all of God’s amazing grace!!!

God uses the obedience of His people to do amazing things…even if they don’t seem amazing at the time!

 

So he supplies perfectly measured grace to meet the needs of the godly. For daily needs there is daily grace; for sudden needs, sudden grace; for overwhelming need, overwhelming grace. God's grace has given wonderfully, but not wastefully; freely but not foolishly; bountifully but not blindly. -John Blanchard

He will not err in any of His dealings with us. He will take away and give; He will afflict and bereave; He will move and He will settle, with . . . perfect wisdom, at the right time, in the right way. The great Shepherd of the sheep makes no mistakes! -J.C. Ryle