God is Accomplishing. Are We Believing?
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Our God is good. He is in control.
“Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ (Isaiah 46:8-10).
Our God reigns! He is near. He delivers. He comforts. He redeems. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He loves. He forgives. He is faithful. These things we know. We read them in His Word. We hear sermon after sermon, reminding us of all of who our God is. We rejoice and praise our Creator God as we stand with other believers and worship. We declare these truths and speak them to others.
Yet…
Why do we still live in fear when we are told that God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)? Why do we still wallow in self-pity and doubt when He says that, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5)? Why are our days spent in constant worry and anxiety when God tells us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7)? If our God is truly all of these things, and we are truly His children, why do we carry so much, instead of casting our cares on him as he asks us to do in 1 Peter 5:7?
Maybe we fail to live in light of the precious promises of God, because instead of allowing our faith to lead, we let our emotions dominate. We turn on the television, and we see evil shooting its way into the very places we thought were safe. We hear of devastation, loss, and tragedy and we feel ourselves sinking into the very despair from which we have been delivered.
Can we continue to cling to our Creator God even when we don’t understand? Even when it doesn’t make sense and even when our finite eyes cannot see? How do we still hold fast to the faith when our plans deteriorate, when our dreams die, and the stories we had written for our time in this world lie wrecked and ruined? How can we still stand believing that God causes all things to work together for good?
There is a way. His name is Jesus. He is the only way to stand in the midst of a broken world. He is the only One who can hold us steady. We cannot see Him in flesh and blood yet, but He has given us Himself through the pages of the inspired Word of God.
John 1:1 declares, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Revelation 19: 11-16 gives a description of Christ when He returns.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus, our Victor!
So when we read Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. We see why the Word of God sustains us, because Christ Jesus is the Word, alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. This Word lives and breathes in us…and as we read and as we study, it sets our feet upon the Rock and sustains our days.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
Our hope in persevering until the end is remaining in God’s Word fixed on Jesus Christ. We will see Him. We will come to know Him more deeply than ever before. And as we get to know Him, we will be able to trust Him as He causes all things to work together for good.
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Today’s Challenge: Immerse yourself in the pages of God’s Word. Drown in the depth of His love and you will soon find that the defeat of doubt is snuffed out and you are standing secure and confident in the Word Himself, Jesus Christ.
Review the verses included today and spend a significant amount of time focusing on what He has to say to you through them.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ (Isaiah 46:8-10).
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
Be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:3-4).
Forty Days of Faithful 