I have a proper fear (respect) of God. I know that I need to honor Him by walking in His ways, not mine. I'm not going to tempt him or justify my actions. I humbly enter His presence, because without Him, I’m unworthy. Each day I take a fearless and moral inventory of my life. If I have said or done something to another, I promptly take care of it, by admitting it to God and then making amends with the person. If someone has said or done something to me, I promptly take care of it. I no longer want to allow resentment or anger to develop in my life. I have done that too many times. Now, I address the seeds of negatively before they sprout, before there is a bigger issue to uproot.
I am not afraid; I do not live in fear of what may happen. "For God hath not given [me a] spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7). I can boldly walk forward with His confidence.
Remember that “He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve fallen, my mistakes, my failures - all of this will be turned into something good. Through this situation, Satin “intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”(Genesis 50:20). That excites me. I’m reminded that in “all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). Not some things, not just the good things - ALL things. Our failures and mistakes are a testimony to lead others to Him.
Just as my children trust me to take care of all of their needs, I am trusting my God. The thing is my daughters don't always get the answer they want. Sometimes I have to tell them no. Why? The answer is simple; I see the bigger picture. Through it all, their trust never wavers. I am trusting God. He may choose to calm this storm, before it hits landfall. That would be incredible. But if He chooses not to stop it, I have no doubts that whatever happens - God will use it for greatness.
I’m reminded of the time that Jesus was at Sea with His disciples and a large storm threatened to sink their boat (Matthew 8). I find it odd that Jesus was sleeping during the storm. Why didn’t he stop the storm before the boat began filling with water? Was he trying to test their faith? Was He trying to teach them to trust Him no matter what? Even at their weakest points, the disciples knew they had to take the entire situation to Jesus. I love Jesus’ response to their anxiety, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He calmed the storm.
I believe that He calmed the storm, because their faith was weak. Had they not woke Him, I believe they would have made it across the water, just fine. They doubted because of what they saw, but the Bible reminds us to live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
It may appear rough on the outside. My vessel may have a few leaks, but don’t forget, Jesus is in the boat with me. Another sign of God’s greatness, is that He stalled this storm long enough to let me pick myself up, to get my eyes on Him, and for me to get back in the boat. I fell overboard, I almost drowned, but the moment I cried out to Him, He lovingly grabbed my arm and pulled me into the boat. “His anchor holds, in spite of the storm.”
The Anchor Holds (Ray Boltz)
I have journeyed
through the long dark night
out on the open sea
by faith alone
sight unknown
and yet his eyes were watching me
CHORUS
the anchor holds
though the ship is battered
the anchor holds
though the sails are torn
i have fallen on my knees
as i faced the raging seas
the anchor holds
in spite of the storm
I've had visions
I've had dreams
I've even held them in my hand
but i never knew
they would slip right through
like they were only grains of sand
CHORUS
i have been young
but i am older now
and there has been beauty these eyes have seen
but it was in the night
through the storms of my life
ohh thats where God proved his love to me
through the long dark night
out on the open sea
by faith alone
sight unknown
and yet his eyes were watching me
CHORUS
the anchor holds
though the ship is battered
the anchor holds
though the sails are torn
i have fallen on my knees
as i faced the raging seas
the anchor holds
in spite of the storm
I've had visions
I've had dreams
I've even held them in my hand
but i never knew
they would slip right through
like they were only grains of sand
CHORUS
i have been young
but i am older now
and there has been beauty these eyes have seen
but it was in the night
through the storms of my life
ohh thats where God proved his love to me
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