Romans 8:28 – a verse of hope and encouragement.
Romans 8:29 – a verse of purpose and calling.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28, 29 NKJV)
A big problem I’ve constantly had in my Christian walk is the need for understanding. As I’ve said many times, I am an analytical person. It is hard for me to commit to anything if I do not have a very good understanding of it. This naturally creates a problem for me in turning verses like Proverbs 3:5 into a reality.
“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
But Lord, you made me an analytical person?
Recently I read through Leviticus and wow, there’s a whole lot I don’t understand in that book. More like there’s a whole lot that I question, “why is this even in the Bible?” Yes, I know it was a different culture. Yes, I know it needs to be read in context and yes I know we read the OT through the lense of the New Testament. But still I read sections and think, “That’s just not right.” I don’t need to get into specifics. I’m sure you’ve come across plenty of Bible bashers who joyfully go straight to certain passages of Leviticus to disprove God by making Him out to be some sort of immoral monster. Which leads back to my original question of “why is this even in the Bible?” Why did God allow things like this to be written knowing that it would cause many to speak out against Him in later cultures?
I became so distraught over this I put the Bible down for a while. I was angry because I didn’t understand. Many other issues bombarded at the same time. I ran into a nasty cocktail of spiritual, mental, emotional and financial trouble. I was in a lot of pain and I was angry. But something crept up through my anger; something that pushed passed my understanding—or lack thereof.
It was peace. His peace.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7
The interesting thing—and probably an obvious truth to many—is that when I was angry and was not talking to God I was a total wreck. He allowed me to have my pout fest and then I finally gave in and made my requests known to God. I gave in and asked for help because I certainly wasn’t going to figure it all out on my own. And what do ya know? Just like scripture says, as I started asking, peace started reigning.
So today I sit and rest in His peace. I trust the Lord and take a hard lesson learned to lean not on my own understanding. There’s many things I don’t understand in this world, but there’s one thing I do:
God is good.
Myself and many others have often bought into a lie of Satan that we are insufficient of God’s grace. We believe a lie that giving up is an option and that losing is actually possible. Out of ignorance and pride we believe that we can single handedly mess up God’s plan. Well I’ve got good news for you my friends:
You are not insufficient! Giving up and losing are impossible, and you cannot mess up God’s plan!
Do you know why?
Because, “It is finished!”
WE’VE ALREADY WON!
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” -2 Cor 12:9
I don’t think I’ve ever really met anyone who is living out of a full cup.
What I mean is: Everyone lives a lot further ahead than they really are, giving advice they don’t follow and loving others without any love for themselves and running on empty all the time. We’re all on fumes.
I’m finding out this is okay for today, and no lifetime is meant to be lived in a day.
There’s this Secret Guilt going around that we’re all halfway hypocritical frauds who will maybe one day catch up to an awesome version of ourselves. It’s a desperate hope that we’ll eventually do what we’re preaching with our mouths and our blogs. And then we blow up or flip a table or punch a wall and that monster comes out, and we think “Where did that even come from?” — and the Guilt chokes the pit of our stomach…
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“I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down.”
I feel blessed today with grace. It’s nice being on the winning side.
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30 NKJV)
iwanttobelieveingod 