I know I’ve said it before (seems to be the theme lately), but being in the midst of a trial is very difficult and painful. If it wasn’t then I guess it wouldn’t be a trial. We need the pain in order to turn to God for strength, and also to allow Got to work in and through us, making us into the people He needs us/created us to be. However, it is painful and it sucks! Big time!! Most of the time I just want it to be over. I want my prayers answered now and the situation resolved. God could make that happen if He wanted! He’s all powerful after all! Right?!
Well, as much as I want it over, I do know He is at work, still at work. It will end and my prayers will be answered, but in His time not mine. His plan and His timing are perfect. He sees the big picture. He sees all the pieces that have to fit into place. Then it hit me! This isn’t just about me or what God wants to teach me. There are lots of people involved in this situation whose lives are being or will be impacted by the outcome. All of that is taken into account in God’s plan. He sees all of it. Also, He is not bound by time. So, it’s not just about me and it’s not just about today. God works everything for good for those called to His purpose (Rom 8:28). Therefore, I have to trust His plan and His timing for all those people whose lives will be touched. He is in control. He knows what He is doing. I have to be willing to sacrifice for His glory! I pray for and rejoice in all the lives that will be impacted through this, all the lives pointed to God and His faithfulness and unchanging, unconditional love and grace. That gets me so excited!! So, I trust God and keep my eyes on Him, not on the situation or circumstances.
Abraham had to deal with that as well. God told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a child in their old age. I read an excerpt from Christine Caine’s Unexpected. It talked about how Abraham trusted God through the unexpected and his faith grew stronger. “When God gave Abraham such an outlandish and unexpected promise, He simply believed God’s promise – he risked hope against all rational hope. He didn’t deny the facts of his circumstances, but he refused to believe they were the whole truth because they did not account for God’s promise. He did not waver or doubt, and because of that, his faith grew even stronger. When at last Isaac was born, Abraham gave all the glory to God.”
“He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about a hundred years old) and also the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.” Romans 4:18-21 CSB
What if I could do that? I have tried but then the doubt creeps in. I believe God gave me a vision, a promise. Unfortunately, the enemy is good at questioning and asking if God really said that (think of Eve in the garden). However, if this vision/promise is real and true, can’t I live knowing the facts (my circumstances) don’t tell the whole story, and trust God fully right now? Trust in His promise, not doubting, making my faith stronger? I’m guessing Abraham did struggle some with doubt, otherwise he would not have been with Hagar. Overall, though, he trust God’s promise. Can I do the same? Can you? Remember, the circumstances don’t tell the whole story. God will fulfill his promise regardless of what we see with our earthly eyes. That’s why it is so important to keep our eyes on Him, always!