Archive for God's Trustworthiness
Living in dependence upon Him – A blessed place
Often times in this life the Lord uses difficult situations and trials to keep us dependent on Himself. In my own life my battle with chronic illness has kept me depending on Him for strength and grace for each day. I was reminded of the ways the Lord uses this for His glory as I read a section in the contentment book this week.
“Perhaps God see’s it better for you to live in a continual dependence on Him, and not to know what your condition will be on the morrow, than for you to have a more settled condition in terms of the comforts of the creature. Do but remember what we spoke of before, that Christ does not teach you to pray, ‘Lord give me enough to serve me for two or three years,’ but ‘This day our daily bread.’ This is to teach us that we must live upon God in a dependent condition every day for daily bread.”
Burrough’s then uses Israel as an example of those in a dependent, yet blessed, condition as the Lord chose to settle them in the land of Canaan (in contrast to Egypt) where they would be completely reliant on God for water. He writes “the land of Canaan depended on God for the watering of it with showers from Heaven, but Egypt had a constant way of watering the country, that did not so much depend on Heaven for water, but upon the river Nile, which at some certain time overflowed the country. Knowing that the watering of there country depended upon the river and not upon Heaven, they grew more proud.” Canaan never knew for sure when they would have water and lived in dependence upon God for there lives.
Why does God view this state of dependence as a better state? Because His people are to live by faith and to rely on Him for everything. When we live in dependence upon God our souls are actually in a better place than when we rely on ourselves. Sometimes it’s hard to see times of weakness and trial as “blessed states” but when we truly evaluate our souls we will find this to be true. What trial is keeping you dependent, yet blessed?
Psalm 25:8-9 “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
Psalm 147:6 “The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
Clinging to the Unchangeable One
I was recently reminded while reading “Morning Thoughts” by Octavius Winslow of the immutability of God’s promises. As my due date approaches and with it numerous changes, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and fearful of what the future holds. What consolation I find in my heavenly Father who isn’t subject to change. It’s so comforting to cling to the one who’s love and faithfulness go on no matter what. Here’s how Octavius puts it:
“Mutability marks everything outside of God. Look into the church, into the world, into our families, into ourselves; what innumerable changes do we see on every hand! A week, one short day, what alterations does it produce! Yet, in the midst of it all, how good it is to repose calmly on the unchangeableness, the faithfulness of God; to know that no alterations of time, no earthly changes, affect His faithfulness to His people; and more than this: no changes in them, no unfaithfulness of theirs, causes the slightest change in God.”
James 1:16-18 “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
“Strength From Another”
I’ve been reading Jeremiah Burroughs‘ book “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment” and have definitely found it to be a jewel! I was recently reminded of one of the awesome privileges of the Christian life as he talked about how Christians are given strength from outside of themselves for every circumstance/trial. Here’s part of the quote that encouraged me and reminded me of the source of my strength.
“But a Christian finds satisfaction in every circumstance by getting strength from another, by going out of himself to Jesus Christ, by his faith acting upon Christ, and bringing the strength of Jesus Christ into his own soul, he is thereby enabled to bear whatever God lays on him, by the strength that he finds from Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 40: 28-29 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Contentment in Tragedy?
Because we live in a fallen world we will inevitably face difficult circumstances. Sometimes we may even face unimaginable tragedies. During such times contentment will look very different from the contentment we are called to in day to day life.
In the midst of hardship and deep loss contentment doesn’t say “thank you Lord for this trial” rather it says something like “Lord, I know you’re in control and that you have a plan and part of that plan involves my good.” Contentment in tragedy is rooted in ruthless trust – trust in Jesus Christ who loves us, desires our best, and who has promised to return and take us to heaven.
Psalm 9:9-10 “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Not a grain more
The words of Charles Spurgeon reminded me today of the glorious promise that, as 1 Corinthians says, the Lord will never grant us more than we can handle.
“Your trials are assigned by divine wisdom and love. He who weighs the mountains in the scales (Is. 40:12) measures your troubles, and you will not have a grain more than His infinite wisdom determines…Everything that you suffer is the appointment of wisdom, ruled by love.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Prescription for Perseverance
Once again I have been uplifted and challenged by the words of Octavius Winslow. Here he gives what I’ve named a “prescription for perseverance.”
“How shall I ever fight my way through this mighty host, and reach in safety the world of bliss? By leaning daily, hourly, moment by moment, upon your Beloved for strength. Christ is the power of God, and He is the power of the children of God. Who can strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees, but Jesus? In them that have no might he increaseth strength. When they are weak in themselves, then are they strong in Him. His declaration is, ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9). Lean, then, upon Jesus for strength. He has strength for all your weakness; He can strengthen your faith, strengthen your hope, strengthen your courage, strengthen your patience, and strengthen your heart for every burden, for every trial, and for every temptation. Lean upon Him; He loves to feel the pressure of your arm; He loves you to link your feebleness to His almightiness, to avail yourself of His grace. Thus leaning off yourself upon Christ, ‘as thy days, so shall thy strength be’ (Deut. 33:25). In all your tremblings and sinkings, you will feel the encircling of His power.”
Unchangeable
As I anticipate spring and the changes to come I am reminded of two things. First, I am constantly changing and so is everything around me. Seasons, circumstances, friendships, trials, desires, battles with sin/temptations, and symptoms are all examples of things in life that change.
Although change can often be wonderful, such as the Lord’s sanctifying work in someone’s life, I am thankful that the God I serve is immutable (my 2nd reminder). God’s unchangeable character is a true source of daily comfort and joy. No matter how I’m feeling or what circumstances I face, God is constant. He is constant in His love, grace, character, promises, truth, justice and mercy. Find hope and comfort in the immutable God!
Malachi 3:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.”
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Hebrews 6:13-20 ” When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
“Each step is mapped, arranged, and provided for…”
I was deeply encouraged recently by reading a devotion by Octavius Winslow based on our Sovereign Lord’s plans, active guidance and consistent love. What a joy it is to serve the faithful Shepherd!
“Untried, untrodden, and unknown as your future path may be, each step is mapped, arranged, and provided for in the everlasting and unchangeable covenant of God. To Him who leads us, who accepts us in the Son of His love, who knows the end from the beginning, it is no new, or uncertain, or hidden way. We thank Him that while He wisely and kindly veils all the future from our knowledge, all that future-its minutest event-is as transparent and visible to Him as the past. Our Shepherd knows the windings along which He skillfully, gently, and safely leads His flock…Then, too, the infinite forethought, wisdom, and goodness, which have marked each line of our new path, have also provided for its every necessity. Each exigency in the history of the new year has been anticipated. Each need will bring its appropriate and adequate supply, each perplexity will have its guidance, each sorrow its comfort, each temptation its shield, each cloud its light. Each affliction will suggest its lesson, each correction will impart its teaching, and each mercy will convey its message of love. The promise will be fulfilled to the letter, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ (Deut. 33:25)”
Our Father
Although learning to approach God like a child and depend on Him for everything can be challenging, this truth remains, our Heavenly Father is trustworthy. No matter how we might waiver, our Father remains the same. Not only is He unchanging but He delights in and loves His children! We should live each moment with confidence, no matter what trials we might face, because we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. Take joy in your Father!
Psalm 68:4-5 “Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds– his name is the Lord– and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 19:7-10 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.”
Cast Your Cares Upon Him
It is so easy to live lives full of anxiety and worry, but as believers in Christ we are called to trust in Him. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of it’s sorrows, but only empties today of it’s strength.” Living in this fallen world requires us to earnestly cast off worry and fear and to actively embrace peace and trust. The wonderful news is that Christ is so worthy of our trust and is in control.
Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
