The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"In This Moment"
"Whatever the matter at hand, the matter of heart calls us to cast our faith upon a faithful God present and accounted for in this day, and in this moment.
The present alone offers opportunity to trust God.
"That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee" (Proverbs 22:19).
"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:23-25).
We can rejoice in the faith of the past, or repent of times when we did not trust our Lord. We can also look with hope to His leading and enabling our confidence in the future. However, only the moment at hand offers actual possibility to join the Psalmist in living and vital faith: "I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 55:23). Yes, the past has passed. The future does not yet offer its opportunity for faith. Only the present is upon us, including this moment.
What opportunity lies before us to affirm or reaffirm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Might there be a blessing bestowed for which we have never given thanks, or for which we might yet again express our gratitude? (Psalm 59:16). Does a perplexity confront our minds, requiring God's guidance and our determination to seek and expect His wisdom? (James 1:5-6). Does a trouble confront us, requiring the presence, power, and involvement of our Lord? (Psalm 46:1). Are we tempted to fear and in need of God's peace "to rule our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus?" (Philippians 4:7). Whatever the matter at hand, the matter of heart calls us to cast our faith upon a faithful God present and accounted for in this day, and in this moment. "I am with thee" (Isaiah 41:10).
The choice to trust our Lord involves waking up to the truth and reality that every blessing - "every good gift and every perfect gift" - we have ever known in our lives came to us from our Father's heart and hand (James 1:17). Thus, the remembrance of blessings grants opportunity in the moment to give thanks, or to again give thanks. Challenges, problems, and needs also open a door into the heart of God for faith to be exercised as soon as we become aware that difficulty lies before us. We need not wait to cast our cares upon the One who cares for us (I Peter 5:7). Indeed, delay in faith results in unnecessarily delayed peace, and in the clear thinking that proceeds from resting our hearts and minds in the Prince of peace. As Jacob lamented at Bethel, "Surely the Lord is in this place. And I knew it not!" (Genesis 28:16).
We have this moment, this moment that teems with God's presence and working in all things in our lives (Romans 8:28-29). May it also teem with our chosen determination, our "I will trust" that so pleases, honors, and reveals our faithful Lord. Again, the past has passed. The future does not yet offer its opportunity for faith. The present alone beckons us to the throne of grace, and to the "I AM" whose presence fills the present with promise to be and do all we require in this moment.
"Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your heart before Him."
(Psalm 62:8)
Weekly Memory Verse
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
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