It is so reassuring to me to come before God in His word expecting that day specifically to read and hear only what is on my mind that day, be it to receive guidance and conviction for a struggle, or to pray His words in praise, or to find fresh insight into a complicated truth, and instead to be surprised by exactly what He would have that day, not what I thought I needed.
It's reassuring to know that I am not searching alone. If I was, I would see only what I could look for.
It's reassuring to be reminded once again that His plan is so much bigger, so much better, so much more perfect and glorious and joy-giving than mine could ever be.
Tonight I read from Luke 7 the story of the faith of the centurion, and then of Jesus raising a widow's son.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
It's reassuring to know that I am not searching alone. If I was, I would see only what I could look for.
It's reassuring to be reminded once again that His plan is so much bigger, so much better, so much more perfect and glorious and joy-giving than mine could ever be.
Tonight I read from Luke 7 the story of the faith of the centurion, and then of Jesus raising a widow's son.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
I feel so small at the absolute power and overwhelming authority of God. Everything is under His hand. With but a word He commands it all. How small are my worries in the sight of God.. how insignificant, how trivial.. and still He can speak and make all right, praise the Lord not right as I would have it be, but as He would.
13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
How fantastic is Christ's mercy, how wide, how deep.. in the ultimate act of grace He gave His life for my sin, that I might see and rejoice in the glory of God, and in the smallest, most tender moment He wipes away a woman's tears. What stood out most in this passage to me was that as Jesus performed the amazing miracle of raising a man from death, still He takes the care to take the boy and return him to His mother's arms. The phrase "tender mercies" never meant so much to me.
This evening I found Christ's character.. in His authority in all things and faithfulness in my life, in His tender mercy.. when I instead wanted to find direct words of relief from worry and fear, that everything would be "ok" as I wanted it.. and how wonderfully so. Everyday it seems I find myself lost in myself. Every night I go to sleep with His peace transcending my heart and mind, and wake up fearful again. Everday I look for comfort in myself, in others, in scripture as I would like it to say, and everday I relearn the same basic truth: in Christ's character is my peace.
How fantastic is Christ's mercy, how wide, how deep.. in the ultimate act of grace He gave His life for my sin, that I might see and rejoice in the glory of God, and in the smallest, most tender moment He wipes away a woman's tears. What stood out most in this passage to me was that as Jesus performed the amazing miracle of raising a man from death, still He takes the care to take the boy and return him to His mother's arms. The phrase "tender mercies" never meant so much to me.
This evening I found Christ's character.. in His authority in all things and faithfulness in my life, in His tender mercy.. when I instead wanted to find direct words of relief from worry and fear, that everything would be "ok" as I wanted it.. and how wonderfully so. Everyday it seems I find myself lost in myself. Every night I go to sleep with His peace transcending my heart and mind, and wake up fearful again. Everday I look for comfort in myself, in others, in scripture as I would like it to say, and everday I relearn the same basic truth: in Christ's character is my peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment