Posted by During troublesome times it’s natural to be concerned about the future. In God’s providential care of our lives, we will at times pass through seasons when things don’t seem to be going our way.
Forgetting that life isn’t always “mountain top” experiences, it’s easy to wonder if God has forgotten us, or if we’re somehow to blame for the dire circumstances we sometimes find ourselves in. Granted, there are times when we find ourselves in unpleasant situations as a result of our own doing.
It’s during these times when we need the grace of God most, that we tend to depend on Him the least. Whether or not we are directly or indirectly to blame for the unpleasant situations we find ourselves in; we’ve all experienced the frustrations that come from our own failed attempts to fix things, and wonder: “God where are you?” “Why aren’t you showing up?”
There is a time to work and a time to rest.
We all have a fallen nature that operates on a merit system and gets the resting and working out of order. We unwittingly fall into the idea that we can somehow help God along by adding our own “good works” to the equation. We continue to stress and struggle to change our situations rather than resting patiently on God’s Undeserved favor. These are the times when we need to cease our own activities, our complaining, and rehashing old pessimistic thought patterns, and rest on God’s unchanging grace.
These are the times when we need to follow the instructions of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
I would like to offer here from my journals a meditation of hope from the Scriptures.
Trusting in God’s Undeserved Favor – A Declaration God’s Goodness
(adapted from Jeremiah 32:37-41)
“I will surely gather you from a place of confusion, disunity, and the dread of great punishment; I will bring you back to the place I’ve prepared for you and let you live in safety, securely under My protection. You will be my people, and I will be Your God. I will give you vision and hope for the future. I will work in you singleness of heart and action, so that you will always have reverence for Me. I desire to cause things to go well for you and for your children after you.
I have made an enduring agreement with you. If you will believe and trust Me, I will never stop doing good to you, and I will inspire you to have respect for Me and My ways. I will work within you the desire and ability to cooperate and live in agreement with Me, so that you will never turn away from me. Know that I rejoice in doing you good and will surely establish you and your family in the land. Believe that I have desired to save you, and with all My heart and soul will I do these things for you.” – JSP Be Encouraged!
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