Trusting God Thursday

But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up!” Daniel 3:18 Amplified

Do you ever wonder if the mess you’re presently sitting in will someday disappear? If we’re honest, I think that we could all raise a hand in agreement over having ‘woe-is-me’ moments, feeing as if the darkness that surrounds us will forever loom over us.

And in the midst of our moaning and groaning, there may be a pinhead of hope that pierces that darkness to remind us of the hope that is within us. Keep looking towards that tiny ray of light that draws you in to hold on to hope. If we’re wise enough to lay hold of the truth that GOD promises to forever be with His Children during these awful times, we are likely to remain afloat on our raft of hope. That’s Jesus.

We contently keep treading water — maybe all is not completely stable and secure, but nonetheless, we cling to the promises that we will eventually make it to the other side.

But what if that doesn’t happen? If GOD Almighty choses to allow us to suffer longer than we had anticipated, would we still remain steadfast in our faith?

Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (more commonly remembered as Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego) were of the mindset that nothing would sway them from loyalty to the One true GOD. In defiance of legal authority that mandated submission in the form of bowing to a golden statue, these three young men chose to continue to worship the GOD of Israel, even though it meant the penalty of death for such defiance.

In their boldness, they declared that their confidence in GOD to save them overrode the need to succumb to the legal requirement. But they also gave honor to the free will of GOD to allow them to be destroyed if that was His choosing. In any case, their faith was the weight that tipped the scales.

I’m wondering, Friend, are we so confident in the Lord? Can we say unequivocally, that no matter what He elects to do with the circumstances of our lives, that we will continue to serve and worship Him?

Though the fig tree does not blossom
And there is no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive fails
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock is cut off from the fold
And there are no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord;
I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! Habakkuk 3:17-18 Amplified

What if you woke up tomorrow morning to find out that the economy had just bottomed out and you didn’t have a dime to your name? Or the company you are working for suddenly vanished and took the payroll with them? What if those lab results revealed that you have a diagnosis so devastating that you only have months to live? Or the relationship that just entered the honeymoon was torn away by infidelity and lies?

Would you then still stand on the promises of your Savior to never leave you nor forsake you?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1 ESV

That’s a difficult question to answer — and I’m the one saying it to the face I see in the mirror.

But I want to live with the undaunted boldness that I am called to live out. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not asking to prove myself. However, I know of a handful of faithful friends that would undoubtedly cheer me on to the finish if that is how my story unfolds. Those precious friends who have gone before me: Paul, Peter, Mary, Joseph, Moses, Jonah, Abraham, Noah, Luke, Timothy, Jacob, Isaac, Sarah, Ruth, Esther … just to name a few … they would be on the sidelines to encourage me to press on … because they’ve walked that journey and they know it’s all worth it.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 ESV

In hindsight, there are life experiences for which we can be thankful. But I think you’ll agree with me that while we were in the thick of it, we would’ve rewritten the script if we had the option. And if we really wanted to grow some stalks of gratitude in our garden, we could stop and reflect long enough to thank GOD for the unexpected occurrence of such events. Again, that’s after we’ve brushed the dirt from our faces and bandaged our wounds.

I’ll admit, there are times where I’ve scratched my head in wonder as to ‘why’ certain events had to occur, ‘why’ specific people behaved as they did, and ‘why’ GOD chose me to experience it all — and not necessarily as a spectator, but as a participant. The Lord knows the countless times our conversations started with that three-lettered word!

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8a ESV

This I do know, that my faith is not in vain because my GOD is faithful and trustworthy. So, if I commit my ways (my lifestyle and the decisions that go along with all that) to Him, He promises to bring me through anything (according to His Will).

“What are you trusting GOD with today, Friend?”

Let me encourage you to keep pressing into the dependency of the One who has it all, because He knows it all and above it all — loves you beyond your ability to imagine.

“Heavenly Father, we praise You for Who You are and for the person we are becoming because of You. We love You and thank You for so great a salvation in Jesus Christ. As we walk this journey called life with You, there are times that in our frailty we fall short and forget that You are the very breath in our lungs. We present our needs at Your Feet (name it here) — You already know what they are and there is nothing too great for You to handle. Help us to remember to look up and reach to You for the strength and courage we need to go through our difficulties with You. We believe that You have our best interests at heart and all things work together for those that love You, no matter how long our trials may last or how difficult they may seem to us. We know You hold us in Your Arms, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Trust Him today and everyday, Girlfriend. You won’t be disappointed.

I love you to Heaven and Back ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary