Repent, Remember and Rest!

Being sanctified doesn't always "feel" good. Let's face it, even though we "know" and "believe" that the test, trial, or refining that we are going through is going to produce Christ like character in us and turn out for our good, in the moment, it's tough. And the Lord, in His love and mercy, tends to sanctify us in areas in which we are least comfortable with in order to REMIND us of our dependence upon Him. I say all of this, because the Lord is refining me in an area that I believe many Christians struggle with, that is with the "unknown". This lack of knowledge displays fruit in fear, worry, anxiety, stress, burden, and the list goes on. And at the root, is a heinous sin, I am ashamed to admit...distrust in the sovereign God.

You see, it is more complicated than it seems. In my mind, and with my lips, I would never doubt God's goodness, His plan, or His provision. I have seen His faithfulness displayed in countless ways that have humbled my heart to always trust. And yet, there seems, at times, to be a disconnect between my head and my heart. What I know, doesn't translate into what I do. More specifically, in how I respond to uncomfortable circumstances in my life.

As of late I have been mediating on the following verse ( and passage in context ) in Matthew from the lips of Jesus himself,
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (v34)
I have learned a lot from this passage, and during this season of sanctification in my life, both from the Word and from commentaries on it. I want to share a couple principles with you in regards to worry, the unknown, and the like, in hopes that it might strengthen and encourage you to press on.

(1) REMEMBER who your Father Is: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" -Matthew 7:11

Growing up, I had no reason to fear or worry about where I would lay my head at night, when my next meal would be, or if I'd have clothes to wear to school. Why? Because I had unwavering trust and confidence in my dad as my provider. This childlike faith goes hand in hand with the faith we as Christians are called to and enabled to have with our Father. My earthly father doesn't even compare to my Father in heaven, and yet I fail to remember who He is. I forget that He is sovereign, in control, and working everything together for my good and His glory. And although I may not think I have forgotten, the reactions I have in certain situations, or the doubts I experience, are evidence of the reality of my faithlessness. When tempted to worry or fret, stop for a moment, and REMEMBER who your Father is. If He has saved you from eternal damnation, why would you fear He won't provide exactly what you need for today.

(2) REMEMBER His Faithfulness"God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." -1 Corinthians 1:9

It doesn't take long after starting in Genesis to see the faithfulness of God displayed. All throughout the Old and into the New testament, the Scriptures are filled with an unending story of God's perfect faithfulness. And if you look back on your own life you see the evidences of it even more personally. His faithfulness, as Scripture says, "reaches to the skys". It is amazing to see it in action, and it is consistently perfect. That is an incredible Truth that brings me so much joy and so much comfort! In moments of despair, confusion, and uncertainty, REMEMBER the faithfulness of God throughout all generations and in your life too.

May you see the sin in the fruits of your unknown circumstances, repent, remember and REST in the One who is faithful!

"Children of God... will you not bear witness, that, through all your trials and troubles, the faithfulness of your Savior's love has been the “very joy of your hearts?” You have had many crosses and losses – has He ever deserted you? You have been in severe afflictions, and have seen the flowers of many a “sweet hope” wither and decay – did your Friend desert you then? Others may have proved faithless – all other help may have failed you – friendship’s help, promised help, expected help – all, all may have been but as the foam upon the billow, as the footsteps in the sand – but, has Christ ever failed you? Could you, in the darkest and the saddest hour of your grief, say to Him? “Lord, You have promised what You did not perform.” Will you not bear witness concerning the past? – “Not one good thing has failed, of all that the Lord has promised – all has come to pass.” -John MacDuff

Job's Example

"This is the essence of God’s sovereignty; His absolute independence to do as He pleases and His absolute control over the actions of all His creatures. No creature, person, or empire can either thwart His will or act outside the bounds of His will."

There is something so comforting knowing that God IS sovereign. It seems as if this attribute is one I remind myself of almost daily. In moments of confusion, in moments of despair, in moments of pain, and in moments of sheer happiness, I am reminded of the precious Truth that THE LORD IS SOVEREIGN. I rejoice in this Truth because I know that NO MATTER WHAT, there is NOTHING, and NOBODY, that can thwart His plan. That is an incredible thought. To know that no act of Satan, no sin of man, no groan of creation, NOTHING, happens apart from the sovereign hand, design, and will of our good God.

The story of Job is such a perfect reminder for this very reality. Having the Word of God gives us the privilege of hearing the conversation between God and Satan and seeing the role of God's sovereign hand in the trials that befall this righteous man. We look and marvel at the story, we know the beginning and the end, but Job only knew the moments as they played. I often wonder what Job must have been thinking while God watched and smiled at his faith and Satan was frustrated over and over again. Here is a man who had it all, spiritually and physically speaking. He seemed to be living a life abundantly blessed, and for the glory of God alone; and then in a matter of moments, everything was taken from him, every earthly possession that is. Yes his faith was tested, yes despair set in, but his trust in a sovereign God kept Him clinging to the faith He held so dear. We hear this in Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. " Through it all Job held on KNOWING His God was sovereignly in control of every detail of every circumstance, no matter how baffling or confusing it seemed in the moment.

I want to have faith like Job. I want to see God's sovereignty as a Truth that is unshakable. I want to KNOW and trust His perfect plan no matter what comes my way, believing that He is working all things together for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). If God weren't sovereign, my faith would be empty, my hope destroyed, and the promise of eternity in question...but because HE IS sovereign, my faith is strong, my hope is sure, and the promise of forever with my Jesus is eternally secure. I rejoice in His sovereignty, more than most any other thing about my God, for it is by this Truth that I rest completely in Him.