Trusting God

Reflect and meditate. What comes to your mind when you hear these two words? 

I have spent this past week reflecting on what all God has done in my life, how far He has brought me, and what He’s brought me from. I look back and I see His hand at work in every single detail. 

I’ll admit, I didn’t always see His hand at work. It’s difficult sometimes to see God’s will, God’s work, and His purpose when we’re in the midst of trials, troubles, and heartaches. Especially when those things come at us in quick succession and it feels like you can barely catch your breath. 

Consider Job… Read Job 1:1-2:10 

God allowed Satan to afflict Job and never once did He tell him why. We know at least three things from reading the account of Job’s life. Number one, God sets the boundaries. Even Satan was limited with what he could do to Job. He only had the power that God gave him; Satan is not all powerful. He is and will always be subject to God. Number two, God reminded Job that He is the all powerful Creator and there is nothing His hand hasn’t touched, that He alone sets the boundaries and He is in control. And finally, God is in the restoring business. He restored everything Job lost and doubled his wealth. God is good and He is sovereign. 

This week, I have meditated on God’s goodness and on His sovereignty, His faithfulness and the fact that I can trust Him no matter what comes my way. No matter what the enemy throws at me I know that everything God allows in my life is for my good and His glory. Romans 8:28

I find myself at a crossroads. I have come to the end of one season of life and I’m entering a new season. 

That’s scary. 

It’s scary to move from what’s comfortable and safe into the unknown. But if I have learned anything in the nearly 5 decades of my life, it is that I can trust God every step of the way. It seems that the older I get, the easier it is for me to trust Him because I can reflect on my life up to this point and see His hand in every detail. I can see where He was molding me. I can see where He was training me. I can see where He was preparing me for the steps to come and for the purposes that He had for me. I know that He is trustworthy because He has proven it time and time again. He is faithful and when all else fails and everyone else fails, including myself; I know that He will never fail. 

Look at Joshua 1:1-9, 16-18 

Joshua had been at this very spot before. The first time, The children of Israel chose not to trust God and ended up wandering the wilderness 40 years. This time however, Joshua trusted God and went forward. God had proved Himself faithful and Joshua moved forward even when it didn’t make sense, like marching around Jericho for 7 days. Look more carefully at this passage.

Joshua 1:7-9

⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God tells Joshua that he will prosper wherever he goes by meditating on God’s Word and obeying what it says. That is the key for all of us. Saturating our lives with God’s Word and living in obedience will keep us in God’s will and prosper us in doing His work. 

So as I confidently move forward in this new season, on this new path that God has me on, I do not know where it will lead but I trust that He does. I’m excited, so excited to see his plan and purpose in the future. 

Do you trust him? Can you look back over your life and see his hand even in the midst of heartbreak and chaos and tribulation? I encourage you to take the time to reflect on God’s goodness, on His grace, and on His provisions. Spend time thanking him for all that he has done and all that he’s going to do in your life. And then meditate. Meditate on his Word, meditate on the purpose and on the plan that He has for you going forward and even if He hasn’t revealed that to you at the moment, trust Him. Trust Him with your future and take that first step of faith knowing that He has it all planned out and you are never more safe and secure than when you are in His perfect will. 

God never promised that the life of a believer would be easy. He did however promise that He would be with us every step of the way.