If God is for us, who can be against us? I love it when the Holy Spirit brings a brand new perspective to something we have seen dozens of times before. I have read this scripture since I was a child, but when I saw it last week, it was as if I had never laid eyes on it. Do I believe that God is for me? Well of course I do! His Word tells me so! "Then trust me," came the voice from deep inside my spirit. Gulp. My first inclination was to scroll through a litany of scriptures in my mind about trusting the Lord and relying on him. "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'" Psalm 91:2 (NIV). Yes, yes, I trust God! Of course I trust him... Well, yes, I worry some. Doesn't everybody? "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which, transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV). There are, well, a few fears that hang around in the in the dark alleys of my thoughts. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:19 (ESV). And yes, I try to "fix" things. I'm good at fixing things! The Lord obviously gifted me with an innate ability to "assist Him" in solving my problems. So, it's all good, right??? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV). Um, maybe not exactly all good. Actually, not even a little bit.
When I look at things from a scriptural perspective, I'm pretty convinced that my little bit of worrying, my few itsy-bitsy fears, and my "fix-it" nature are really nothing more than rebellion, manipulation, and disobedience. Wow, I don't like those words one bit, but nothing else fits when I look at my behavior in light of a sovereign, holy God. If I really believe the verses I rattled off, it is pretty clear that God is saying my job is to trust him. To rely on him. To accept the things he brings into my life with an open heart and a thankful spirit; depending fully on him to always provide what I need to fulfill his perfect plan for my life.
So no whining when things don't go my way, but rejoicing that they are going His way. A continual process of adjusting my sails as the wind shifts and the next phase of his plan unfolds before me; fixing my eyes on Him no matter what is going on around me. Taking my fears and worries to the foot of the cross and leaving them there. "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalms 55:22 (NLT). The amazing news is that while this process is daunting, our Lord promises me that my King understands everything I am going through. Everything. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us is our time of need." Hebrews 4: 15-16 (NIV). He promises that he wants to take every step with me, and he wants me to follow him and learn how to handle my light and momentary troubles as he would. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.
And yes, the God of the Universe promises that he IS for me. And in the light of that truth, who indeed can be against me?
It is the journey of a lifetime, taken one baby step at a time. A race well worth running with endurance.
