Wednesday, September 18, 2013

God’s Welfare

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NASB95)

This morning I found out that something I had expected to happen did not happen and it left me trying to find out what actually did happen. As I moved through the process, including sitting on hold on the phone for a very long time, I had plenty of time to also wait on God and His peace and leading in the situation. As I did this I also reflected on my devotional reading for the day, and especially the part where the author wrote, “You inhabit a fallen disjointed world, where things are constantly unraveling around the edges. Only a vibrant relationship with Me can keep you from coming unraveled too.” As I read this I thought, ‘how true.’ I thought about my God who does not unravel and who holds the very strings that appear to be unraveling. And in doing this I closed my eyes and prayed.

As I continued to sit on hold I also remembered a sermon I heard last year by David Jeremiah in which he spoke about how things might actually get harder after we get leading from God and set a course of following Him. The reason for this is that we have an evil one who is active in trying to thwart what God intends, and if we are in line with God’s intention then we should fully expect that he would try to thwart us as well. This is one area where the need to be close to God is easily seen. It would be easy to see these barriers and unraveling things as closed doors and as a sign that we should move in another direction, which actually may be what God intends. But it also may be an attack of the enemy through which our keeping our eyes on our faithful and powerful God will again demonstrate that His plans will not be thwarted, and that He indeed has authority over all and in all.

The apostle Paul in Ephesians 6 wrote, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:10–13, NASB95)

So as I continue to sit on hold and wait on a response, I also will do so waiting on God. And even when I don’t know what is going on or even how to pray I know that His Spirit is right there with me interceding on my behalf. “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:26–28, NASB95)

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (9/18)

Seek to please Me above all else. Let that goal be your focal point as you go through this day. Such a mind-set will protect you from scattering your energy to the winds. The free will I bestowed on you comes with awesome responsibility. Each day presents you with choice after choice. Many of these decisions you ignore and thus make by default. Without a focal point to guide you, you can easily lose your way. That’s why it is so important to stay in communication with Me, living in thankful awareness of My Presence.

You inhabit a fallen disjointed world, where things are constantly unraveling around the edges. Only a vibrant relationship with Me can keep you from coming unraveled too.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB95)

“And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” (John 8:29, NASB95

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:23–24, NASB95)

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