Hebrews 10:23 NIV
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
In these very difficult days of economic and social upheavals, when it appears as If things are going haywire, it is difficult to have any measure of certainty about life itself. It seems to me that there is so much unpredictability. You put in so much effort into something, but the end-product saddens you; you spend so much money on a project which fails woefully; you invest time and resources in preparing for an exam which is failed comprehensively. You may wonder whether there is something quite wrong with you or If you really know God, or even if you are on the right track. Life will throw you curve-balls that will question the faith you profess and the hope you possess.
When these things happen, where do you go? What do you do? Who do you hold on to? What is your anchor when the storms of life hit and it appears as If you are sinking?
Today's extract seeks to change our focus from what is happening around us to who is living in us. Faith does not deny the present, but it sees beyond the present. It does not ignore the realities that are present; it just sees God at work, irrespective of what is going on. It then means that it should not be the external that determines the state of things for me; it should be the internal. The Lord does not promise calm seas for me as I travel, what He promises me is a calm heart, which has an assurance of the presence of the Lord of all storms. He does not tell me that there will always be clear skies; all He promises is that there will be a clear assurance of His leading and direction as I journey on. The verse above then Word then makes sense as I trust God for a life of purpose, direction and impact. I have to trust in the wisdom of a God who sees beyond the present into the future.
I have to trust that He knows what He is doing and where He is taking me to, no matter how rough the road looks or feels. He could take me through the fiery furnace or the lions' den, or my route could pass through prison on the way to the palace. What is important is that I know who has promised to be with me and I hold on to Him, no matter what comes. He has promised not to allow anything beyond my ability to bear to come to me, so If He allows it, it is because He knows I can bear it. I have seen God at work in the strangest of ways. The end-product is the miracle but the process God works through is the mystery beyond my understanding. I am now learning to trust in His wisdom and timing as He brings me to the place of perfection. His Word of promise is the anchor you must hold on to when the storms come, because it is only His Word that lives forever. Every other situation, circumstance or issue would come to pass, never to stay. Trust his Word today, and see His faithfulness at work. His time of favour is here
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