Sometimes life can be complicated and confusing...or downright frightening and discouraging. Our culture feels like it's coming apart at the seams with vitriol flying in every direction. The news relentlessly bombards us with killings, bombings, kidnappings and on and on. Not to mention we're all facing the challenges of getting older and wearier.
And then God steps in to remind us of Who is really in charge. Who is truly sovereign and perfect in all His ways and dealings. Who will never run out of energy or wisdom or power or grace or forgiveness. Who is always and forever steadfast in His perfect love. Who will never ever leave us nor forsake us. Who is always and eternally for us, never against us.
In case you need reminding: "'To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him?' says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God?' Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:25-31)
That is our God, and there is none other!
But if you, like me, can sometimes be a spiritual amnesiac who not only forgets but is prone to wander along the barren, dead-end paths of worry and anxiety, here are a couple of sentences that resonated deeply within me. The more you contemplate them, the more they will encourage and strengthen your heart, for they are truth. And here they are--
"You are one in whom Christ dwells and delights. And you live in the strong and unshakeable Kingdom of God. His Kingdom is not in trouble, and neither are you." James K. Smith
Slow down and really think about that! In fact, put your name in there: "I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. And I live in the strong and unshakable Kingdom of God. His Kingdom is not in trouble, and neither am I."
Yes, yes, yes!
The God of the universe dwells inside of you. Amazing. And He doesn't just put up with you (which would be remarkable in itself), but He positively delights in you. Mind blown. And no matter how crazy this world, how chaotic your life, His Kingdom is strong and absolutely unshakeable. Hear that--utterly unshakeable! And He's totally, completely, and eternally got it all and got you. No one and nothing can defeat or deter His Kingdom, and He's perfectly in control and untroubled by all that's going on. Because guess what? It's all, all, all a part of His good, perfect and pleasing plan and will. And that means you and I can resign our sham positions as worriers of the world and managers of the universe!
Thank You, Father! Thank You, Jesus! Thank You, Holy Spirit!
Today and everyday, might we live and move in this truth--that Christ dwells and delights in us. That we live in His strong and unshakeable Kingdom. And that His Kingdom is not now, not ever, in trouble...and neither are we.
You can unclench those jaws and relax those tight fists, because He's got it. And He's got you. Praise His great and glorious, His unshakeable and unconquerable name. To God be the glory.
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