The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Devotion and Integrity"
"We are perplexed, but not in despair" declared the godly Apostle Paul regarding the many difficulties he faced in life and ministry (II Corinthians 4:6).
In other words words, "We do not understand, but we nevertheless choose to hope and be confident in the heart and hand of God." Walking with God in our present life does not offer the answer to all of the "Whys" of His administrations and allowances in our lives. Perplexity often accompanies our experience, as Paul acknowledged. This presents great challenge as life often brings unexpected troubles that make no sense to us regarding our Heavenly Father's promise that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28). In such times, we will sometimes have no notion or concept of how some matters can "work together for good." We therefore fall back on that which we do know for certain…
"The Lord is good" (Psalm 100:5).
As the saying goes, when we cannot understand the ways of God's hand, we trust the character of His heart. Born again believers in the Lord Jesus have committed our life and eternity to One whose "faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds," who "cannot lie," and whose devotion to us is so committed that He gave His beloved Son to suffer and die for us on the cross of Calvary (Psalm 36:5; Titus 1:2; Romans 5:6). Such a One can be trusted "with all thy heart," even when our minds cannot fathom how and why He works (Proverbs 3:5).
As a teenager, I was exposed to a virus that could have severely jeopardized my health and well being. Doctors advised my mother to quarantine and keep me very still for ten days. This meant I could not go on a trip I had long anticipated with much excitement. I did not understand, or rather, I allowed my disappointment to result in initial anger toward my mother, which I expressed in no uncertain terms to her. Of course, she did not waver in her determination, and I soon realized she acted in love for me and devotion to my well being. I look back on those days with gratitude, but also with sadness that I did not sooner recognize my mother's wise way.
"As for God, His way is perfect" declared David of the Lord's doings that proceed from His devotion… "This I know, God is for me" (II Samuel 22:31; Psalm 56:9). His hand may perplex us. How could it not be so as He works with infinite knowledge, but as we interpret His doings with finite understanding? This, however, does not perplex us: the Lord is good. The devotion of His love for us "passeth knowledge," guiding His hand with perfect motivation and skill (Ephesians 3:19). Understand His ways? Sometimes, but not always. Be sure of His heart? Ever and forever, including this moment, as we recall and affirm His perfect trustworthiness and loving commitment.
"So He fed them according to the integrity of His heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of His hands."
(Psalm 78:72)
Weekly Memory Verse
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.
(I Timothy 2:1)
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