This evening, I was dwelling on the mysteries of God; his works of providence and his holy acts. So often, I find myself struggling (wrestling, really) with the Lord over the whys and wherefores of his plans in the lives of his children. It is nothing more than kicking against the goads; an adult temper tantrum, if you will.
And yet, I know he is benevolent and does desire to and will perform good to his children.
Ps. 85:12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good...
Ps. 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works.
Notwithstanding the understanding of his benevolence, righteousness and holiness, my frail sinful heart too often finds it difficult to understand the ways of our infinite Creator. I know, right? He is infinite, I am finite. What do I think I can possibly comprehend?
Is. 40:8 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
But God is so merciful. He does not leave me to wallow in my frustration and confusion or loneliness. He does not allow me to doubt his love for long.
Song of Sol. 2:4,10-12a He brought me to his banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.
He patiently and graciously brings me out of darkness and back into the light of his glorious face. He strengthens and renews my weary soul in his good time.
Is. 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Proof in my life, that the Lord hears the cry of his people and sends comfort, came in the form of a journal entry of a friend that gently silenced and encouraged me. The quote says...
"Relax, Christian. Rest. God has ordained the evil as well as the good. God has given to Satan and to the Beast and to the False Prophet roles and, if you will, services to perform, in his sovereign and most wise plan for our salvation. All things are purposed to serve God’s glory and our good. We may be for the present spectacles to angels, as the working out of the redemptive plan of God displays us before them, but we are the beneficiaries of God’s goodness. We shall yet be saved from all evils."
"Rest." Just one little word. One little yet very powerful word that provides a host of comfort. I can rest in the Lord because he is my refuge and my strength; an ever present help in the time of trouble (Ps. 46). I can rest because "the LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy (Ps. 145:8). I can rest because the kingdom of our God is an everlasting kingdom (Ps. 145:13).
These promises are to all God's children. No matter the struggle. If we call upon the Lord in truth, he will hear and bless.
God is good to those that call upon his name; that call upon his name in truth (Ps. 145:18).
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God.
Ps. 146:5
*The full journal entry can be found here: http://gospelcovenanter.squarespace.com/journal/
It is titled, Behold Leviathan! (A short biblical-theological look at the beast concept in Job chapters 40 &41)
