An Exceedingly Precious Promise

An Exceedingly Precious Promise

 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose—Romans 8:28

 Life is a roller coaster of emotions. At any given moment it may be gladness or disappointment, success or defeat, joy or sadness. weakness or strength that besets us. Does God have the power to control all the incidents of my life for my benefit if I allow him to do so? I, for one, believe he does have this power. How he does it, I don't know. Romans 11:33, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became his counselor?

 We must trust God when the bright side of life is shining on us and we must trust him when the dark side of life envelopes us. There is not one ounce of doubt in my mind that when we love him with all our being and trust him completely believing he will do what is right for us, our God in his own time and in his own way will mold any situation that befalls us into something that works for our good. There are two alternatives open to us: trust in God and his word and grow stronger in our faith, then go on rejoicing and praising him for his love and care. Or, we can trust in ourself or some other person or thing, then wallow in self-pity, become despondent and live a miserable life. It is up to us!

 All things work together for good includes that which is good as well as that which is not so good. With a strong faith in God, we can and will say, "I know it is true." Faith based on a complete trust in God can accomplish wonderous things. I am convinced that the more trust we have in God, those things that are not so good will teach us how weak and frail we really are and lead us to seek and lean upon the Lord for the blessings that will see us safely through whatever our lot in life may be at any given time (Psalms 34:8, Proverbs 3:5, Heb. 4:16). True and lasting happiness is found only in relying on the wisdom and power of God (Proverbs 16:20; Matt. 5:6).

 Putting our trust in God acknowledges our confidence and dependence on him to always do for us what he promises to do. "From the end of the earth I will call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalms 61:2). For me, these words from one of my favorite songs, Higher Ground, sum it all up: "My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Tho' some may dwell where these abound, My pray'r, my aim is higher ground. I want to scale the utmost height, And catch a gleam of glory bright: But still I'll pray till heav'n I've found, Lord lead me on to higher" (Chas. Gabriel).  

   To God be the glory! 

Charles Hicks