God’s Sovereign Will

Today we got mail… Yes I am a big fan of going through the mail even if most of the time it’s only advertisements for mattress sales or coupons for the grocery store… Today’s mail included a letter from Desiring God Ministries along with the water bill. Okay, the water bill wasn’t too exciting, though it was 79 cents less than what I budgeted for. The letter from DGM however contained a very interesting article written by Jon Bloom.

It was all about God’s sovereign love in carrying out His will in His people’s lives. He shared about Joseph (Jesus’ earthly dad) and all stress, anxiety, and worry that he must have faced through the first few years of Jesus’ life. Traveling a 100 miles to Bethlehem on foot with pregnant Mary all because of a stupid census; Escaping to Egypt under the threat of the baby Messiah’s execution; Coming back to Nazareth instead of Bethlehem; always on the run, not being able to settle anywhere. He probably struggled to find work, and probably struggled to support his new family. Life was chaotic. All these things however fit perfectly into God’s sovereign plan of redemption. Prophesies were fulfilled, and nothing took God by surprise.

Bloom brings encouragement to his readers by saying,

The unplanned, inefficient detours of our lives are planned by God. They are common for disciples, and they commonly don’t make sense for the moment. But God’s ways are not our ways because our lives are about Him, not about us. He is orchestrating far more than we know in every unexpected event and delay… So when you find yourselves suddenly in a direction you had not planned, take heart, hold tight, and trust God’s navigation.”

I like that, “But God’s way’s are not our ways because our lives are about Him, not about us.” What comfort there is to be grasped knowing that God is in control of our lives and He will use us to glorify His name through any twist and turn in this life.

Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps”

J. C. Hahne

Anxiety and it’s Cure

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.” – Proverbs 12:25

How true it is that anxiety and worrying, cause depression, sadness, and grief. We must fight against such feeling knowing that they are not from God. But how do we fight? We must take in hand the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The proverb says, “a good word makes it (the heart of man) glad.” The word of God is good and true. It is our surety, and our sword that cuts through the schemes of the devil.

We are to take the promises of God, preach them to ourselves and one another and defeat sins of depression and anxiety. The Word of truth proclaims that our God is Sovereign and Good, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28, and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. Thus we can say with boldness, “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 or, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

May the truth strengthen us in our fight against sin. May we gain courage and joy as we trust in His promises. May His “good word” make us glad!

J. C. Hahne