For God's Glory and My Good
2019 is just around the corner, and as you know, I've long since ditched the habit of making a New Year's resolution and gone with a theme word instead. For this year, I've tossed around a few things that I could challenge myself on, but as I've prayed and considered, I've decided to go a slightly different route. Instead of focusing on an attribute of me, I've determined to focus on an attribute of God!
I'd like to preface my choice with a little explanation. During this past year, I've been witness to some heartbreaking scenarios in the lives of people whom I dearly love - cancer diagnoses, crumbling marriages, financial shake-ups, job losses, prodigal children - these and so many more that seem hopeless, inexplicable, and overwhelming. How do you make sense of tragedy, betrayal, loss? How do you find joy in the bottom of the barrel? How do you take your next breath when the weight of despair and hurt is crushing? Please accept the writing that follows as the place where God has led me over the past 55 1/2 years. As I've aged, I've learned that I know a whole lot less about everything -- and especially about God -- than I thought I did. NOTHING that follows is meant to be in the least bit insensitive to your suffering or the suffering of a loved one, and I write these words with great respect and humility. This is an accounting of what the Lord has taught and continues to teach me through His Word and through life experiences.
I look to the Lord, and I trust in His SOVEREIGNTY.
"Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him." -- Psalm 115:3
"The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'" -- Isaiah 14:24
'Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" -- Isaiah 46:9-10
What does sovereignty mean? Sovereignty means that God controls ALL THINGS and that what He plans WILL come to pass. Nothing can thwart what God had determined will happen. So how do I reconcile all of the terrible things of this world with a loving, good God Who is in charge of it all?
Here are some things I have to consider. First of all, God's ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). God is infinitely wiser than I am so His reasoning and decisions are beyond my comprehension. Just because I don't understand God doesn't mean that I shouldn't trust Him. My mind and heart honestly can't figure out God because I just don't have the capacity for HIS ways and thoughts. There are plenty of times when my heart responds with, "God, I don't get it, but I trust You."
Second thought - I must always remember Who God is and what His nature is. God is love - perfect love - and God is good - perfectly good. Everything - even things beyond my understanding - ultimately comes into my life for God's glory and for my good because of WHO God is.
Another thought - because I'm human, I tend to view the world with myself in the center. If there is pain or heartache or tragedy that affects me, I may tend to question God and wonder why those things have come into my life, why God would allow me to endure such hard circumstances. But consider that possibly the Lord is using my situation as a way to work in someone else's life. He may be using my response to a particular event to be a witness to someone on the outside looking in, wondering if this God can be trusted with his or her problems. (Note to self - for the millionth time - "It's not about you, cupcake.")
Some good "NEVER"s to remember: God NEVER wastes pain. God NEVER makes mistakes. God NEVER has regrets. God is NEVER cruel.
Trusting God in the midst of the worst of the worst isn't an emotional "hope" or "fingers crossed" kind of deal. And realistically, it isn't easy. Trusting God is a decision of the will. I KNOW Who God is, I KNOW He is for me, I KNOW He is able. So I CHOOSE to trust in His sovereignty. He is God, I am His child, and He doesn't owe me an explanation. But in His kindness, He gives me His Word -- full to overflowing with reassurances and true hope. Some of the universal favorite verses from the Bible are favorites for that very reason.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." -- Romans 8:28
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -- Jeremiah 29:11
"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not His benefits -- Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." -- Psalm 103:1-5
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -- Psalm 34:18
As we reverently welcome a New Year, I pray that your trust in this good God of ours will grow by leaps and bounds! As His sovereign will comes to pass in your life, may you lean in to Him to know Him more intimately and to trust Him to provide all that you need. And may 2019 be a year full of great adventures of faith! All praise to the SOVEREIGN God!
I'd like to preface my choice with a little explanation. During this past year, I've been witness to some heartbreaking scenarios in the lives of people whom I dearly love - cancer diagnoses, crumbling marriages, financial shake-ups, job losses, prodigal children - these and so many more that seem hopeless, inexplicable, and overwhelming. How do you make sense of tragedy, betrayal, loss? How do you find joy in the bottom of the barrel? How do you take your next breath when the weight of despair and hurt is crushing? Please accept the writing that follows as the place where God has led me over the past 55 1/2 years. As I've aged, I've learned that I know a whole lot less about everything -- and especially about God -- than I thought I did. NOTHING that follows is meant to be in the least bit insensitive to your suffering or the suffering of a loved one, and I write these words with great respect and humility. This is an accounting of what the Lord has taught and continues to teach me through His Word and through life experiences.
I look to the Lord, and I trust in His SOVEREIGNTY.
"Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him." -- Psalm 115:3
"The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'" -- Isaiah 14:24
'Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" -- Isaiah 46:9-10
What does sovereignty mean? Sovereignty means that God controls ALL THINGS and that what He plans WILL come to pass. Nothing can thwart what God had determined will happen. So how do I reconcile all of the terrible things of this world with a loving, good God Who is in charge of it all?
Here are some things I have to consider. First of all, God's ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). God is infinitely wiser than I am so His reasoning and decisions are beyond my comprehension. Just because I don't understand God doesn't mean that I shouldn't trust Him. My mind and heart honestly can't figure out God because I just don't have the capacity for HIS ways and thoughts. There are plenty of times when my heart responds with, "God, I don't get it, but I trust You."
Second thought - I must always remember Who God is and what His nature is. God is love - perfect love - and God is good - perfectly good. Everything - even things beyond my understanding - ultimately comes into my life for God's glory and for my good because of WHO God is.
Another thought - because I'm human, I tend to view the world with myself in the center. If there is pain or heartache or tragedy that affects me, I may tend to question God and wonder why those things have come into my life, why God would allow me to endure such hard circumstances. But consider that possibly the Lord is using my situation as a way to work in someone else's life. He may be using my response to a particular event to be a witness to someone on the outside looking in, wondering if this God can be trusted with his or her problems. (Note to self - for the millionth time - "It's not about you, cupcake.")
Some good "NEVER"s to remember: God NEVER wastes pain. God NEVER makes mistakes. God NEVER has regrets. God is NEVER cruel.
Trusting God in the midst of the worst of the worst isn't an emotional "hope" or "fingers crossed" kind of deal. And realistically, it isn't easy. Trusting God is a decision of the will. I KNOW Who God is, I KNOW He is for me, I KNOW He is able. So I CHOOSE to trust in His sovereignty. He is God, I am His child, and He doesn't owe me an explanation. But in His kindness, He gives me His Word -- full to overflowing with reassurances and true hope. Some of the universal favorite verses from the Bible are favorites for that very reason.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." -- Romans 8:28
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -- Jeremiah 29:11
"Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not His benefits -- Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." -- Psalm 103:1-5
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -- Psalm 34:18
As we reverently welcome a New Year, I pray that your trust in this good God of ours will grow by leaps and bounds! As His sovereign will comes to pass in your life, may you lean in to Him to know Him more intimately and to trust Him to provide all that you need. And may 2019 be a year full of great adventures of faith! All praise to the SOVEREIGN God!
