Another journal entry for class. A little more direction, maybe....

The promise:

Romans 8:28-29 (LITV)

“But we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to those being called according to purpose;  because whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the First-born among many brothers.”

The declaration:

Acts 27:25 (NIV)

“I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”

The hope:

Romans 4:3 (NIV)

“Abraham believed God”

Three passages outlining my hope and focus in everything. I hold to the promise declared in Romans 8, a promise proven to be true again and again in Scripture and many lives, including mine. A promise that doesn’t declare an easy life, but a life of purpose, of good purpose. And what is good except the Father (Psalm 34:8)? So the purpose is His. My teaching will work out for good, especially as I endeavor to please Him with it, give it back to Him as a thanks offering for He alone is the reason I am teaching.

And I believe His promise, even if I don’t understand it. I believe it. And when I don’t I ask him to “Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 LITV) just like the desperate father in the Word. I trust Him just like this little poem found in my devotional Streams in the Desert says:

Believe and trust; through stars and suns,

Through life and death, through soul and sense,

His wise, paternal purpose runs;

The darkness of His Providence

Is starlit with Divine intents.

His promise and plan go so far beyond me, but He has brought me into it and all I can do in return is trust Him and walk the path He lays before my feet.

And the last verse: “Abraham believed God”! Oh, that people would say that of me. That my life would reflect such devotion and trust. That I don’t set back and evaluate the plans God gives me and question Him. That I will pick up my life and walk to the strange land He has called me to, and then walk to another one, and keep walking never seeing how any of this is related to the promises given, but trusting. Trusting Him no matter what. Trusting Him with what is next. Trusting Him with what is behind. Trusting Him with what is now. Trusting Him when there is no reason to trust. Believing Him when everything looks impossible and lost. And walking forward into the unknown certain I will not be lost. Will He ask me to walk through the fire? Of course, but He’ll go with me. How do I know? I trust Him.