March 15, 2008

• trusting God through times of separation

  Recall Paul and Barnabas, great friends and missionary partners, and their major disagreement which caused them to part ways rather than traveling together for the rest of their lives?

  'How sad', might be the first reaction.  Yet God used their separate efforts for even greater good than if they had been joined together.  'How wonderfully God worked it out for good,' might be a better summary.

  And so it may turn out for many of us as well.  Especially in these 'last days'.

   

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  Also, I heard this quote today from a visiting scientist:

  "I'm from Scotland.  I believe that it's actually important to know what's going on.  If I was from England, the only important thing would be knowing who's in charge, and making sure I'm friends with him."

  He he he.

  There's something to be said for both approaches...   Especially and fundamentally, in our relationship with God the Creator, we can stop worrying and leave the 'outcomes' to Him, as our Father in heaven.  Ponder this statement that Jesus made in John 18:11-

  Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus.  So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"

  One might think that if ever Jesus had a reason to balk and refuse to obey His Father, this would be the time...  He knew exactly what torment the Father was guiding Him toward, unlike his disciples who were in denial and refused to listen to His predictions.   But so deep was His trust, that Jesus figured whatever the Father was asking Him to do, even death and Hell, was ultimately the best and most desirable thing to do.   A "Though He slay me, still I will hope in Him" attitude...   Trust...  Hope...

  "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

  ...and love.

  • 12:31 am
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