In a devotion I read by Charles Stanley he wrote about how Abraham
(from the old testament) had a great impact on Dr Stanley’s spiritual walk. He saw the necessity of living by faith.
Many of us have gone through the toils and angst of moving at some point in your life... IN my life….and I know
I am getting old…51 last week…..I have moved 15 times….which doesn’t include
going to 2 colleges!
Here is some of what Dr Stanley said
“God told Abraham he was going on a journey (Genesis 12:1-3)
that would require leaving his country, his people, his father’s
household. Being obedient meant saying
good bye to relationships and things dear to him. The only family members who traveled with him
were his wife and nephew; the life he knew in his homeland was left
behind. But this godly man did not
hesitate. His strong fait enabled him to
say yes to what the Lord commanded.”
“Moving ahead in the midst of uncertainty can be another
aspect of following the Lord. Abraham
was told to travel without knowing his destination. Imagine trying to explain to friends and
family that you are moving but have no idea where you are going. This lack of
detail didn’t stop Abraham.
Unwavering trust in his heavelny
Father enabled him to answer the divine call wholeheartedly – even though
specific details were lacking. Abraham
was spiritually ready to answer affirmatively when God called.”
“Following God requires faith, even when we don’t see how
all the pieces fit together, but believing that God always works for our good
and His glory and desiring to please our Father.” [In Touch Daily Readings for Devoted Living, March 2017 Page 13]
And while reading this it brought to mind someone else who
completely trusted His Father even when He didn’t know how the pieces were
going to fit….how it was all going to work out.
Jesus had
gone into Jerusalem to cheers and shouts and hailing Him as King!
When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:7-10
He had had his last Passover meal with his
closest followers and encouraged them to remember Him and what He was about to
do, but I wonder if He knew details. He must have known enough…that his body
would be broken and blood spilled. While they were eating,
"Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:22-24
Jesus is God, but He was also man when He
was here on earth. So I feel maybe He didn’t know all the details of His end journey.
I know that if I had known all the details of what the plan was I would have
done more than sweat blood, as He did!
Maybe He knew He must die for all of our sins,
but not sure if He knew the exact way, the suffering that would be before
death, the nailing to the cross. BUT He
knew He must walk it and I believe He knew alone.
They had
walked into the garden of Gethsemane, but at one point He told his disciples to
“remain here and stay awake with Me" and
then going on a little further he fell facedown in prayer. He had to go on alone and He HAD to talk to
His Father. And He said “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from me. But not as I will, but as
You will.” Mark 14:36
He may not
have known how all the pieces would fit together, but I can say with certainty
that He knew what the outcome would be….His Father’s plan would come to
pass. God the father would be glorified!
Jesus knew
that following the plan God had was what was going to be best for Him in the
end, and best for us all in the end….right!?
because the plan did NOT include death…..but VICTORY over death!
When Christ
rose 3 days later…..and then after living among His disciples for 40 days …He was raised up to heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father! What a glorious end story!
BUT THE BEST
part of the story is….even if we don’t know how all the pieces of our lives are
going to fit, even if we are living in
uncertainty …..we can KNOW we can trust God the Father with our end story…IF we
have trusted Christ as our savior….then we know our end story is HEAVEN and
eternal life with Christ and God the Father! AND it isn't really an end story....it is just the beginning!
My prayer is that
you find hope in that…even if you live in uncertainty. One step at a time, one day at time.
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When writing this it brought to mind a hymn....
Tis so sweet to
trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
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Jesus, Jesus, how I
trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
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2
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O how sweet to trust
in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
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3
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Yes, ’tis sweet to
trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.
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4
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I’m so glad I
learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
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Trust Him with all your pieces today!!