God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. -Psalm 46: 1
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40: 28-31
Hi everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. We had sooo much to be thankful for this year!
Something I’ve been thinking about lately is our strength as people. Throughout Nate’s illness and recovery, several people have complimented me on my “strength,” which I appreciate so much. (Although I get a little embarrassed - y’all have no idea how weak I really am!).
Something we hear a lot is that “God doesn’t put more on you than you can handle.” I think there’s a lot of truth to that, but it’s also a little misleading. Because on my own strength, there’s no way I could handle everything that’s happened over the past year and a half. Not even a small fraction of it!!
In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power is his forever and ever. Amen. -1 Peter 5:10-11
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead be very glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world. -1 Peter 4: 12-13
And since we are his children, we will share his treasures - for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. -Romans 8:17-18
I know there is a definite theme to the above verses…suffering. Not something anyone likes to talk about or think about.
“Listen, Job; stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God! Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash forth from the clouds? Do you understand how He balances the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?” -Job 37:14-16
“Golden splendor comes from the mountain of God. He is clothed in dazzling splendor. We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty, yet He is so just and merciful that He does not oppress us.” -Job 37: 22-23
“God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend.” -Job 37:5
Wow…take a minute and think about God’s power. He is all-powerful…He created everything and can do so much more than we can even imagine. Really, I mean really think about that. He is our King - the most glorious, powerful, strong, marvelous King ever.
