Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Trusting the will of God

Have you ever been afraid to trust the will of God? Worrying over what will happen to you if you do? You're not alone ~ most of us have been afraid at one time or another ~ maybe you're afraid even now. But I can assure you that you do not need to be afraid. God's will is the incredible expression of His love for us and it comes directly from His heart. "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11

In the Living Insights Bible, Pastor Chuck Swindoll says, "It's awesome to realize that today was in God's mind and plan long before this earth was created. He knew you would be where you are at this very moment, living in your present circumstances. Turn over the controls of your life to Him. Admit your weakness, your hypocrisy, your tendency to worry, your deep need of His presence and His counsel in your life."

God's will is nourishing for us, not some medicine we have to choke down. We're nourished as we obey. "Meanwhile his disciples urged Him to eat, "Rabbi, eat something." But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then His disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought Him food?" "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work." John 4:31-34

Oswald Chambers said, "Doing God's will is never hard. The only thing that is hard is not doing His will." The first thing we need to do is obey, wait then follow His leading. Our human nature wants to always rush ahead of Him. We need to be reminded from time to time that we have to "rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7

Give God your fears, your anxious thoughts, your doubts and completely trust Him to show you His will ~ "His good, pleasing and perfect will." Look to His Word and receive His truths that will transform your heart and mind.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --- His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"God made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10

"God who searches our hearts know the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:27

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:36

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Trusting as you wait . . .

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2

How often to we call out to God . . . God I need this . . . God I want . . . God if you'll only do this . . . only to miss His voice in the silence. He tells us to "be still and know that He is God." Being still doesn't mean you stop doing life, it just means to wait for Him to clearly answer. Often He answers with a clear resounding "yes"; often with a clear resounding "no"; but more often with a clear resounding; "wait." It's in the waiting that we G R O W in our relationship with Him. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 Remember the words in 2 Peter 3:8, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

Okay, before you say, "a thousand years"???, "I can't wait that long", it just means, God isn't in as big a hurry as we are and His ways and timing, well, are His ways and timing and He is perfect, without error. So waiting isn't a bad thing ~ although hard, it isn't a bad thing. How we wait reveals our true character and our obedience in not grumbling or complaining as we wait. (Philippians 2:14)

I love a quote I read this morning by Andrew Murray, "In prayer, I give myself to God; in the Word, God gives Himself to me." God's Word is compared to the greatest treasure you'll ever find. The Psalmist knew this. Listen to his words in Psalm 119:162, "I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil." He also went on to say in verse 165, "Great peace have they who love Your law and nothing can make them stumble."

The world will tell you that you can have anything you want any time you want. However, what the world offers is only temporary pleasure, not lasting joy and peace. True peace and security are only found in God and God alone through His Son, Jesus Christ.

If you feel like you're stumbling today as you wait on God to reveal His answer to your request,
1) Trust Him ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
2) Dig deep in His Word because all His Words are true ~ Psalm 119:160
3) Ask Him to reveal His promises to you in a fresh, new way today Psalm 119:73
4) Receive His Word with an open heart and mind ~ Colossians 2:6-7
5) Know and experience His perfect peace ~ John 14:23, 27.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD,
the LORD, is the Rock eternal."
Isaiah 26:3-4