So, give thanks in ALL circumstances, might sound crazy! Daniel, thrown in the lions den to be mauled to death, was called down to the next morning and answered the king! After a night in the den. Yet, the plotters were leapt upon before they fell to the ground. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/daniel-6/
Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego refused to worship a false god/an idol. They gave thanks in the flames! Daniel 3:1-18 and four forms were seen in the flames.
Samson was created for a purpose! Judges 16:21-31 More were killed at his death than in his life! A seldom touched on topic; the temple of Dagon was destroyed! We serve a Living God!!!
We have touched on this prior the book of Ruth is in The Word for a reason: Ruth bore a son named Obed, the future father of Jesse, who would become the father of king David. Thus, Ruth was David’s great-grandmother, and is listed as such in the Book of Ruth and in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.
The nation of Israel was brought Knowingly into existence by the obedience of Jacob, son of Abraham – the father of the faith! For Christians, Abraham is seen as the “father of the faith” and is honored for his obedience. The Apostle Paul expands the concept of being a descendent of Abraham when he writes in his letter to the Galatians: “So also Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
We ‘try’ so hard to define ‘love’. This will truly blow you away…
God Is Love!!!
Beloved, let us love one another, for Love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is Love. In this the Love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is Love, not that we have loved God but that God Loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so Loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His Love is perfected in us, Amen.
Nothing else need be said!
Yet, I must ask: “Who/What knows us better than we know ourselves?”
You have searched me, LORD, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You, LORD, know it completely. Psalm 139:1-4
The Bible reminds us over and over again of the comfort and peace that comes from being known and Loved by God. We are truly known and perfectly Loved, even more clearly and truly than we know and love ourselves! In fact, it is often quite difficult for us to know ourselves well, to discern clearly our longings, needs, and deepest desires.
Simply put, what we think we need and actually need is not always one and/in the same. This is especially true in times of pain or suffering. We want to flag Jesus down and say, “Come over here! I’m hurting and need You to fix this right now!” And Jesus does want to heal us and comfort us, yet He desires to heal our deepest longings and truest needs, and does so even if we don’t know what that need is.
In the medical field, doctors often talk about treating the underlying issue rather than simply focusing on the presenting symptom. I wonder if this is true of our spiritual lives as well? Could it be that Jesus, the Great Physician, wants to free us from our sorrow and pain, yet does so by working His healing into the core of our very being? And in light of this, what does it mean for us to be calm in the midst of chaos, peaceful in the most unlikely of places?
Since God knows us better than we even know ourselves, we are free to take a deep breath, open our hands, and with humble hearts say to God, “Even in the midst of chaos and great pain, I trust that You know my deepest need. So I won’t try and run past You or tell You what is best. I choose to instead acknowledge my limitations and weakness, trusting that You are always working for my good.”
In the mystery and beauty of God’s wisdom, instead of simply erasing pain and brokenness, he heals it by taking it upon himself and transforming it in the process. We see this perfectly and powerfully on the cross as Jesus takes death upon himself so that through it he can speak life and victory.
Take heart today and trust that the thing in your life that feels like it might be your undoing can instead be something you offer to God for healing and restoration. Though it may seem improbable or even impossible, nothing is too great for a God who knows you better than you know yourself!
PrayerFather, thank you that you know us and love us perfectly. Teach us to trust you in every situation and circumstance, believing that you work it for our good and your glory. Amen.
It JUST came to me NOW. I was blessed to then meet a ‘friend’ when I was still learning to write again! AFTER that came you know who 😒. But, she played her part in my story! Yes, it cost me a bit, but in truth that was all in my past! And by God’s AWESOME grace remains there!
So, I will not go on. Your trip to Jamaica was known before you ever planned it! I was communicating with you sporadically then. Robyn’s birth and birthday. Yet, for SOME reason we were in touch!
Really ‘weird’ are all the colleagues that I was silly enough to call “friends”! Where are they now?
The most amazing thing is that Gbenga Ayoola, my best friend since grade school has ALWAYS been in my life!
EVERYTHING has a reason and most importantly ALL things work TOGETHER for good in the lives of those who Love God!
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/all-things-for-good-part-1
We just need to remain in prayer, waiting on The beyond awesome grace AND GLORY of God to shine in and on our lives, Amen.