I spent some time looking through old pictures yesterday. Each
image triggered memories – some happy, some sad, some wistful. There were photos of a trip to family reunion
in Indiana that I took with my Mom and Dad. Going with them was a spur of the moment
decision. I am now so thankful I took a
the time. None of us knew that it would be the last trip together, that Dad
would become gravely ill not many months later.
Did God play a part in guiding me to take the time to go? I absolutely
believe He did. It wasn’t the only
moment where yesterday’s reflection revealed His hand guiding me.
The Word tells us that "The
steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of
their lives." (Psalm 37:23, NLT) Often His hand is unseen in this present
moment, but we continue to walk in faith. And, like I did yesterday, as we look
back, we can, like Samuel create memorials to remind us of God’s
faithfulness. "Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of
Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer—“the stone of help”—for he said, “Up
to this point the Lord has helped us!” (1 Samuel 7:12, NLT)
Abraham was directed to take his son, Isaac, to Mount
Moriah. God demanded a sacrifice. As
they traveled, the boy wondered aloud about a missing element. “Father, we have
the wood and the fire, but where is the lamb?”
The man of faith answered, “The LORD will provide!” Only at the moment of surrender, when Abraham
was willing to give that which was dearest to himself, he experienced the
fulfillment of his words of faith. "Abraham
looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram
and sacrificed it in place of his son. Abraham named that place “The Lord Will
Provide.” (Genesis 22:13-14, CEV)
I am in one of those times when it is hard to see the Lord’s
hand. Frustrating situations, multiple problems for which no solutions are
evident, and questions about the future are very much a part of my life right
now. My choice is to trust. Why? Because of His promise to direct my steps, to
be my Provider. Only half in jest, I
wonder why He doesn’t choose to put enough resources in my bank account to eliminate
any concerns, why He doesn’t let me see a level, straight road into
tomorrow. In my heart I know why,
though. Then, I would grow complacent,
perhaps even apathetic, in my pursuit of Him.
He loves me enough to keep me close to Him, to encourage me to walk in
faith.
Do you want to look back and know that He has led you? Then,
follow the path of Abraham, which is one of faithful obedience for this day.
Even if we cannot see the outcome, we must submit our will to His In time His ‘delight in every detail of our lives,’ will become evident. In eternity, when He
reviews our lives, we will see His purposes and plans completely. Faith will become sight!
Here’s a familiar passage from the Word. Let’s own it and live in the promise. "Trust in the Lord and do good. Then
you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he
will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust
him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the
presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act." (Psalm
37:3-7, NLT)
_______________
Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance,
Jesus is mine.
O what a foretaste of
glory divine!
Heir of salvation,
purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit,
washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, all
is at rest.
I, in my Savior, am
happy and blest.
Watching and waiting,
looking above,
Filled with His
goodness, lost in His love.
This is my story, this
is my song;
Praising my Savior,
all the day long!
This is my story, this
is my song;
Praising my Savior,
all the day long!
Fanny Jane Crosby | Phoebe Palmer Knapp
Public Domain
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