Wednesday, July 4, 2012

“That! How?”



    While born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ base our lives on inviolable principles of Truth, we nevertheless understand that the Holy Spirit personally applies these principles to meet the particulars of differing people and circumstances.

     The Apostle Peter, for example, may be quickly freed from prison in accordance with the Biblical assurance, “He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked” (Acts 12:7-9; Psalm 97:10).  Conversely, the Apostle Paul may be allowed to seemingly languish in prison, but nevertheless experience such peace in God’s providence that perhaps even a great deliverance is known: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11).  Indeed, we might ask, which is the greater provision, deliverance from prison, or deliverance in prison?

    That our Lord fulfills His promises is beyond question.  How He fulfills His promises is beyond understanding, encompassing ways and means as vast as the wisdom of God.  As with Paul, some difficult and binding experiences actually result from fulfilled assurances and answered prayers.  Our calling involves the faith that believes God is working, whether or not we understand His ways.  We trust His heart even when we cannot fathom His hand. 

    “As for God, His way is perfect” declared David (II Samuel 22:31).  “Perfect.”  Not good, or very good.  Not great, or very great.  Perfect.  Herein we rest our souls in times of both understanding and bewilderment.  Moreover, herein God is glorified by trusting children as they run free from prison, or as they live free in prison.  Our Lord is that wise, that present, that active, and that loving on our behalf.  Yes, herein we rest our souls.

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:12-13)

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