When we have been brought very low and helped,
sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again,
have given up all hope--and been suddenly snatched from danger, and placed in safety;
and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over,
we begin to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God,
beyond and against appearances.
John Newton
sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again,
have given up all hope--and been suddenly snatched from danger, and placed in safety;
and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over,
we begin to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God,
beyond and against appearances.
John Newton
Things are not always as they appear. When the circumstances of life seem less than favorable, when our hearts and troubled and understanding does not come easily, when hope fades and there seems to be no light in the darkness, when the voices I hear all around me seek to lead me to a place of doubt and fear, I have to remind myself, God is still at work, unfolding His purposes, for His glory. I have to cycle back to the rock-solid truth that I am in a covenant relationship with Him and, as Newton states, to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God beyond and against appearances. I must learn to shut out the voices that would lead me to despair and hear the voice of truth.
The Apostle Paul reminds us...that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). And to the believers in Philippi, he would write...it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
Jeremiah writes, Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.
Sometimes, we have to recognize that God's purposes may not always mean favorable circumstances in our lives, we have to remind ourselves that the hard things we may be facing are for His glory, and that He is with us and will see us through those challenges. He is the God who says to us: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you (Isaiah 43:1-2). David would confidently declare: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4).
The hymn-writer reminds us: God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. (William Cowper)
So, I will trust, the hands that made the starry heavens
And I will trust, the wounds of Calvary
And I will trust, and I will not be afraid
For all His ways are love (Graham Kendrick)
Even when my heart and mind struggle to understand, when the voices around me seek to lead me to a place of doubt and fear, the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory!" Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth (Casting Crowns - The Voice of Truth).
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. I will praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).
The Apostle Paul reminds us...that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). And to the believers in Philippi, he would write...it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
Jeremiah writes, Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.
Sometimes, we have to recognize that God's purposes may not always mean favorable circumstances in our lives, we have to remind ourselves that the hard things we may be facing are for His glory, and that He is with us and will see us through those challenges. He is the God who says to us: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you (Isaiah 43:1-2). David would confidently declare: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me (Psalm 23:4).
The hymn-writer reminds us: God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust him for his grace;
behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. (William Cowper)
So, I will trust, the hands that made the starry heavens
And I will trust, the wounds of Calvary
And I will trust, and I will not be afraid
For all His ways are love (Graham Kendrick)
Even when my heart and mind struggle to understand, when the voices around me seek to lead me to a place of doubt and fear, the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory!" Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth (Casting Crowns - The Voice of Truth).
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. I will praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).
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