I feel like there's going to be plenty to write about today, all connected. Pastor Kip continued the series that Pastor Mike didn't realize he had started last week, talking about trusting God in the difficult times. It looks like God's timeline was going to move ahead one way or another. I've seen enough connections in sermons with things I'm learning that I can't call it coincidence. (Though to be strictly literal, it does coincide, or take place at the same time, it's not mere chance that it does... coincidence ought to be another indicator that God exists, as opposed to an excuse not to believe in Him.) One of the things from the sermon today that really stuck with me was that sometimes God will allow something in my life that could even hinder me from doing what He's called me to do, and say "NO" when I ask Him to remove it. I need to keep in mind that the weaker I am, the more glory has to go to God when His strength gets me through, so my weakness can actually be more effective for God's kingdom than my strength, as well as building His character in me.
The next book I'll be reading is Ecclesiastes, and I'll start that tomorrow, but having just finished Genesis, it's funny that a conversation today would turn to the events in Exodus, the entire book of which shows God being present with His people in difficult times. I was looking at the pillar of cloud, and fire by night, that God used to lead and guide His people. No matter what difficult circumstances came their way, they could always look at the cloud and know that God was there with them, that He had promised to take them where He wanted them to go, and that they were exactly where He wanted them to be at that moment.
Hebrews 11 talks about people who had faith in God's promises, even when they didn't receive the things that were promised themselves they knew enough about God to recognize that He is trustworthy, and His plan is longer than our lifespan. They did some amazing things by God's grace, in faith. Hebrews 12:1 calls this a great cloud of witnesses. We can look at this cloud of witnesses and know that God is with us, that He has promised to take us where He wants us to go, and that we're exactly where He wants us to be, even in the difficult times or when things are hindering us and we need His strength in our weakness.
God, thank you that I have weaknesses to remind me that You are strong, and that I need Your grace to get through life, and to do what You've called me to. Teach me not to try to muddle through on my own, when Your grace is so readily available. Amen.
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