“The Power of His Hand, the Presence of His Heart”

"The Power of His Hand, the Presence of His Heart"

       

     We all desire escape from our troubles.  As we prayerfully trust the Lord and submit ourselves to Him, He sometimes provides such grace.  "This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and delivered him out of all His troubles" (Psalm 34:6).

     Sometimes, however, we no less prayerfully trust the Lord and submit ourselves to Him, but He provides a different form and measure of grace.  "For this thing ("thorn in the flesh") I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (II Corinthians 12:8-9).

    Why the difference in God's working and provision?  No complete answers offer themselves to our understanding in this present life.  We know God's way is perfect, of course, but it is far from understandable to our finite minds (II Samuel 22:31).  Our Heavenly Father is possessed of awareness and comprehension beyond all measure - "His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5).  He forever acts according to such knowledge, and tells us so.  "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).  Thus, when God saves the poor and praying man out of all his troubles, we can know He delivers according to the loving wisdom that acts in the man's best interests.  Moreover, when He allows troubles and thorns to remain in another praying man's life, He acts no less graciously and no less in accordance with His supplicant's best interests.  This is truth.  This is reality.  This is the Word of God that prepares us to trust and submit ourselves to the Lord when He throws open the gates and we run free, or when the locks remain and we somehow find His freedom in the very midst of our confinement to trouble.  "Thou hast saved us from our enemies… God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, o (Psalm 44:7; 46:1).

   We will find our Lord perfectly faithful in either administration of His grace.  Deliverance from trial will certainly seem more delightful.  However, deliverance in our trial may prove far more beneficial to both ourselves, and to those with whom we live our lives. Escape shows the power of God's hand.  Enduring reveals to us the presence of His heart.  We require both expressions of God's perfect way in our lives, and we can be sure He administers both in the wisdom beyond our understanding, but not beyond our Christ-enabled faith and confidence.

"Behold, God is my salvation.  I will trust."

(Isaiah 12:2)

Weekly Memory Verse

     What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

(Psalm 56:3)