The Word of God

The God we serve is a sovereign God.  Nothing takes Him by surprise.  A couple of weeks ago I was keenly aware of this truth in my personal Bible study time with the Lord.  Where God had me reading in His Word was not by chance or by happenstance.  God knew that I would be reading what I was reading at that exact point in my life.  

I had just started the book of James that week.  Chapter 1 says "...when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy."  The joy God is talking about is the joy that comes from your character being forged into the perfect image of Jesus.  In other words, maturity happens by being steadfast in following the Lord even in the midst of the difficult circumstances that God has placed over you, and even in the midst of not being able to see God at work or hear His voice.  It may seem that God has withdrawn during those difficult times in your life, but actually what God is doing is stepping back and inviting you to draw even deeper into His presence.  

I also was reading through the book of Isaiah (and still am).  In chapter 8, the Lord told Isaiah that He was going to punish the people of Judah because of their disobedience with an invading army.  And then God says something specifically to Isaiah to calm his heart. "The Lord has given me (Isaiah) a strong warning not to think like everyone else does...'don't live in dread of what frightens them (Judah).  Instead, make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life.  He is the one you should fear.  He is the one who should make you tremble.  He will keep you safe'."  Isaiah answers God by saying, "I will wait for the Lord...I will put my hope in him."  I love that.  Chaos was about to break loose in Isaiah's life and he chose to put his hope in and put his eyes on the Lord.  That is what God is calling all of us to do.  Later on in that same chapter, Isaiah writes that during this time people are going to go looking for answers from mediums and spirits from the dead.  But Isaiah counters by saying, "Shouldn't people ask God for guidance?"  And then He boldly says, "Look to God's instructions and teachings!"  The Word speaks, and we must be willing to put time into engaging God's Word so that it can do its job in our ears and in our hearts.  

I'm also was reading as I always do through the book of Psalms!  I came across Psalm 121 that week.  All I can say to you is READ IT.  Sometime this week, read Psalm 121 and let God speak to you about His constant, protective care.  He has not forgotten you.  He sees clearly what is going on in your life, and He's sovereignly ordering your circumstances to develop your trust in Him and your dependence on Him.  James says--trials are going to come.  Isaiah says--in those trials, put your hope in the Lord and His Word, and Psalms says--the Lord will be with you every step of the way.  I love His Word!  

During this times within our church, let's keep our eyes peering into His Word.  It's the primary way He speaks to His people.  I will illustrate that clearly in the next post.