Faithfulness

This past weekend was a glorious reminder of the Lord's Faithfulness. Two of my very dearest friends, Caleb and Annie Young*, were just married Saturday, April the 12th. To know their story of waiting and preparation, and then to see how the Lord perfectly planned every bit of it to culminate in their union that day blessed my soul. God has so designed every aspect of their lives, every event, in order to prepare them to love and cherish and perfectly compliment one another for His glory. In my frequent spiritual introspection, I would often tend to worry due to my realization of what little strength I possess, while to a much greater degree anxious due to the great amount of disorganization and forgetfulness that I do possess. But although God is a God of order, and commands that we be holy as He is holy, His faithfulness endures even when we are faithless. God is not like a man who returns only what he deems necessary, according to the measure that he has been given. No, God is God, and He is faithful because He is faithful. He keeps His promises because He promised to keep them. He acts according to His character, far beyond what we could ever think or ask. He is the exceeder of our expectations. Not to say that I expect a rose and receive a field of roses. I may receive a field of thorns. However, that may be what is necessary for my sanctification, that Christ might be more of a reality in my life, that I might be more conformed to His image for the Glory of God. This is the ultimate good. The good referred to in Romans 8:28,"And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." The ultimate good is not always physically or spiritually comfortable. The Lord has called us to take up our cross and follow Him. In so doing, we leave behind our safety and our comfort, and indeed everything to which we previously were clinging, for Jesus, our very own Pearl of Greatest Price. To rest in the sovereignty of God and know that He is faithful, despite our failings, is beautiful indeed, freeing to the utmost. With God granting the grace to see with new eyes of faith, fixed upon the cross, firmheld by his grace, I have no need of worry, I am truly freed from the bondage of anxiety. Praise the Lord! Do you realize, dear Saint, what a treasure you possess? We are but earthen vessels(2.Cor.4:7)and yet house the Pearl of Christ within. What a privilege, what and honor! Why do we fear? Why do we tremble before man? Why do we worry about what tomorrow may bring? I pray that God may empower me to stand and honestly say, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."(Phil.1:21). I encourage you too, dear reader, to find rest in the bosom of Christ, to never forget the unforgettable gospel, the cross which compels you, the Risen Savior who has redeemed you, the Spirit who fills you and strengthens you, and the God of all creation who holds all things together and has promised to never leave you or forsake you. May God richly bless you as you seek to dwell in the deepest recesses of Him. Praise the Lord!
Clay in the Potter's Hands,
Robin