God is Accomplishing.  Are We Believing?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Our God is good.  He is in control.

Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,   Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Isaiah 46:8-10).

Our God reigns!  He is near.  He delivers.  He comforts.  He redeems.  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by 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 hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)?  Why do we still wallow in self-pity and doubt when He says that, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5)?  Why are our days spent in constant worry and anxiety when God tells us to Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through 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 gives a description of Christ when He returns.

¹¹ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

¹² His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

¹³ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

¹⁴ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

¹⁵ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh 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 quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents 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.

Psalm 62: 5-8:

⁵ My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

⁸ Trust in him at all times; ye 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.  

God says Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: (Isaiah 26:3-4).

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 all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,   Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Isaiah 46:8-10).

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John1:1).

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62: 5-8).

God says Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:3-4).