This morning for my devotions I read Psalms 19….
“The heavens are telling the glory of God, they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship.
Day and night they keep on telling about God.
Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out to all the world.
The sun lives in the heaves where God placed it and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race!
The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat.”
I had to pause and ponder the magnificent awesomeness of our Creator God. Everything God created is stamped with His fingerprint. The vastness of the universe, the galaxies, sun, moon and stars all speak about the greatness and goodness of God. Every single human being on earth can tilt their head backwards a few degrees and see, feel and and experience in some way the marvelous display of His craftsmanship. We may live thousands of miles apart but we all see the same moon, the same sun, and the same stars. How can we fathom such a phenomenon?
It is in You and You alone, O God, that I put my faith.
Recently I was asked a question that has left me pondering, “Can you trust God regardless of the outcome”? I can believe in God, admire His handiwork, and know that He is but do I trust Him? I believe that He knows my beginning and end. But do I trust that all the jumble in between will be for my good? Can I trust that He is somehow weaving together the many threads in my life with purpose and design to make a beautiful tapestry? Faith and trust do not necessarily go hand in hand. Trust is not a prerequisite for faith but I sure do have to have faith in something I trust.
Several weeks ago I sat in my pastor’s office and shared a concern and worry I was facing. An unknown spot had showed up on a chest x-ray following a bronchitis relapse. Then a few days later they found a suspicious spot on a mammogram. Further tests were scheduled on both. What was I facing? I didn’t know. One spot was worrisome enough but two spots in the same vicinity of the body was very worrisome. I wanted to share it with my family and friends so they could lift me up in prayer.
My pastor asked me two questions. What are you thinking about and can you trust God regardless of the outcome?
What was I thinking about???? Well, in the middle of the dark night…cancer, death and heaven. In the middle of the day it is easier to conjure up a “I will beat this” attitude. But regardless, there is still a little dark storm cloud following you around.
Can I trust God regardless? It made me pause but for a second….yes, yes, yes. I can trust God. I had told God that if I have to battle that unspeakable “c” word that He was in it too because He was going to have to walk beside me.
Nature reveals to me the greatness and beauty of God and His Word shows me His character. But it is only through my journey that I experience His abiding, faithful and loving presence. It is because of my history with God that I can trust Him with my unknown future. Life is not always “easy street” and I have experienced some very difficult troubles and trials. But I can say without hesitation that my God has been faithful, His peace has surrounded me and His mercy is ongoing. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I can trust Him.
Corrie Ten Boom penned the words to this poem that poignantly reveal the precious truth of God’s sovereignty in her life. Her life story of God’s abundant grace, care and faithfulness is told in the book “The Hiding Place”.
Life is But a Weaving
Corrie Ten Boom (The Tapestry Poem)
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
.
Note: Both tests (chest c-scan and breast ultrasound) came back negative. I am so relieved and grateful to God for His mercy.
