Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
If God cannot tell a lie...
And He works all things together for the good of those who love Him...
And if not one hair falls from your head without His knowledge...
And if His arm is not too short that He can't reach you and save you...
And if ALL your days were written in His book before you were born...
And the bible is the very written word of the God of the Universe who cannot tell a lie,
...then all these things it says are true...
...So ALL His ways are perfect and right.
Even the ones that seem dark and mean.
The presence of evil in the world cause many to question the goodness of God... Or even His very existence... Yet, if all these things are true then we HAVE TO KNOW that all these things that seem so horrid and unbearable serve a purpose. One day we will see the reasons, and understand the purposes, and we are promised that they will turn to gold before our eyes and we will only be able to drop to our knees and praise Him for every ugly, mean, cruel thing that He allowed into our lives. We will see why it was there and it will no longer be an ugly, mean, cruel thing... It will be a beautiful tool that did a work that nothing else could have done.
When things happen that we do not understand, things that make us wonder "Lord, where were you then?" or "Where are you now?" we must remember all that His Word says about His love for us and His ways... The more we know His Word, the less we will struggle with the hard things. We will know that we can trust our Father no matter what and we will, by the grace He gives us, press through that thing and receive peace that passes all understanding and comprehension.
And we know that even in the darkest of times, we can rejoice... There will always be reasons to rejoice. Think on those things.
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Garrison: a body of troops stationed in a fortified place
Mount: to raise or put into position for use, as a weapon
Every fear, worry, question, concern... Bring it to the Lord in prayer, with Thanksgiving, and His peace will stand like a troop stationed in a fortified place guarding your heart and raising it into a position for use, like weapon!!!
Philippians 4:8-13:
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
When we come to the place where we truly trust Him and truly believe that nothing comes to Him before it goes through Him... we can truly be content in whatever state we are in. Our contentment does not come from things outside our bodies... it comes from our spirit as we find our satisfaction in the love relationship that we have with our Father... He is there and in any situation you find yourself in, He is right there, and in closing your eyes and "thinking on these things" and reminding ourselves of His goodness and His ways that are far above our ways - we have peace, no matter what.
We can pray with the father who's faith was small... "Lord, help my unbelief.."
phantomblogger posted on Sep 07, 2007
| views: 141
Comments
-
polarheart said on Sep 08, 2007....
Phantom, thanks for sharing this. . .I have in recent months specifically been concentrating on much of what you've said here.Blessings! Polar -
Jenna said on Sep 09, 2007....
I am searching for that Peace!
Comment on "unbelief"
Related Posts:
one_wired_kitty
posted 2 days ago
| views: 49
|
It's okay if you disagree ... but when leaving a comment, please dont be a childish douche and resort to namecalling and insults.... read entire post
readytofollow
posted 3 days ago
| views: 24
|
As we read through the Bible and obey it, God's Word becomes our spiritual food and our source of strength and spiritual insight to accomplish His will.... read entire post
readytofollow
posted 5 days ago
| views: 17
|
As Christian's we learn that the just shall live by faith alone, so what is faith and how do we get it.... read entire post
readytofollow
posted 5 days ago
| views: 11
|
You do not have to live in bondage to things that you have done in the past nor things that others have done to you. Set yourself free through none other than through the Lord, Jesus Christ.... read entire post