I am always astounded to see how things seem to come together. For instance, I have been teaching the children about American slaves and how they suffered before Abolition. We studied George Washington Carver and marveled at how this gentle man set his heart on learning, and did what he had to do to get a good education.
The other day, we just happened to rent a movie (The Great Debaters) that portrayed some of the indignities suffered by blacks less than a hundred years ago. Then today, Christopher's curriculum just happened to mention Harriet Tubman, the feisty ex-slave who led many to safety on the Underground Railroad. I have a book called "Stories of Real Adventurers" which featured Harriet Tubman. We looked her up in our old World Book encyclopedia, then on the internet, beginning with Wikipedia. Tomorrow, the children will be writing a report on Harriet.
I don't question that God orders our steps, even down to the details of our little homeschool. It is a joy to praise Him for daily provision even in this small thing.
We don't question that God has a plan for us in regard to every aspect of our lives. He is in control of the minutest detail, and because we trust in Him, we take comfort in this fact.
So, we observe that the Lord allowed our truck to break down in February, putting us further in debt. We had no choice but to replace the engine on the truck, so we could keep on servicing our customers.
We notice that the Lord ordained that now is the time that our neighbour decided to buy the farm from his dad, requiring us to have a new well dug on our own property.
This morning, we were reading the Bible together in our family devotions, and what jumped out at me was this:
Romans 15:
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
5 ¶ Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 ¶ Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,
9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name."
10 And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"
11 And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"
12 And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope."
13 ¶ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Although we read three chapters together, this was the portion of Scripture that jumped out at me. I kept on reflecting on this passage throughout the day. It is in Christ I hope. It is in Him I rejoice. I only have hope because of His finished work on the cross, which has reconciled me to the Father, and it only by the power of the Holy Spirit that I can see this blessed hope. Without Him, I would be blind, lost, without hope and without Christ in this world.
It is no coincidence that today my husband was told that our financial situation and employment might be completely devastating by the end of next month. God knew that I needed to read and meditate on this passage that reminds me that in HIM I have hope.
So, I love it when a plan comes together. I love to see God's plan unfolding before my very eyes. I have no idea what is in store or what trials we may have to face. But I do know that my God shall supply all of our needs according to His riches in grace, by Christ Jesus. I know that He will never, ever leave me, nor will He forsake me. I know that He knows the plans He has for me, and that they are plans to prosper me, and not to harm me; plans to give me a hope and a future.
My God is better than the A-Team. He is in perfect control. Of everything. He is in control of the smallest details of an obscure homeschool in rural Ontario; He is in control of the decisions made in boardrooms of corporations in the urban metropolis. He has a plan, and it will all come together, according to His will.
Ah, I love it when HIS plan comes together!
It Is We Who Must Be Bent
20 hours ago
3 comments:
we were blessed by this blog post also being in a uncertain situation in terms of employment, direction e.t.c
It is wonderful to be in this place of hopeful expectation, waiting to see God's plans unfold in our life's.
Joanne, I know that you and Gavin have faced uncertainties, too. Yet you know that the One in Whom you place your trust is the God of HOPE...never listen to Satan's lies that try to take away your joy and fill you with hopelessness. Satan is a liar; God is Truth.
Blessings and prayers,
Janet
What an amazing testimony to your faith in God that you rejoice in seeing His hand in the "little things" and that gives you faith that His hand is also at work in the big things! Thank you for sharing. I believe with you.
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