Last month in one of my blog posts, I spoke of being challenged to hold onto my belief that God would provide. It was a very painful journey, filled with much anxiety and fear for what might happen. At the point of writing that blog, the final answers from Him had not yet made themselves apparent. In that moment, I recognized I needed my knowledge of His past goodness to help support my belief in what He planned in our present situation. The remainder of God’s presence and blessing in my yesterday helped point me into security and a firmer grasp of His presence in my today and into my tomorrow.
Well, some time has passed since that post. And, I can now share with you about the forever faithfulness and goodness that is God in our circumstances! Though we could clearly see the potential of disastrous events looming before us, His long arm of protection and safety intervened and brought forth the appropriate things that we needed to be able to continue on. He delivered the required breakthroughs and solutions ahead of our ship, crashing onto the surrounding rocks.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever” 1 Chronicles 16:34(ESV).
So let this be my testimony to all of you of the goodness of God.
It is not a boast of how much He loves my family or me compared to anyone else. Nor is it somehow highlighting my perfect faith over the powers that oppose the faithful. I am not endowed with “super prayer powers” or “exclusively righteous thoughts and actions” … far from it! I am truly only human, and often quite painfully so. But I believe that there are times when we must share our personal experiences and victories in our walk with the Almighty; to recognize and re-declare Him as active and moving.
Often, we can spend more time sharing prayer requests instead of praise reports. We certainly are being put upon in these trying times. It would only stand to reason that a large percentage of our interaction with Him would revolve around the problematic and the troubling. And, if you re-read my post from last month, I believe you will hear that tone being shared at that moment.
But God…
He met me where I was at. He understood all that I was thinking, feeling and experiencing. He lifted me up in all that was bothering me and whispered to me: “I am here with you. Keep walking with Me – and I will be there with you.”
I think it is important that we testify to each other: in the miraculous, in the provisional, in the big, in the small, and even the seemingly unsubstantial. Let the working of His miraculous will for us be seen and celebrated amongst His sons and daughters.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17(ESV).
God is here.
God is moving.
God is reaching out to all.
Even if you have somehow not yet experienced Him “making a way” in your life/circumstances, I beg you not to lose heart. If this testimony in my life has shown me anything, it is that I must constantly work to keep my eyes focused on Him and not become lost within my situations. It is an intentional path I must chart with Him to be sure to walk obediently in how and what He desires of me. Me in step with Him, allows Him to be in step with me. And He will guide me to where His breakthroughs await me.
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6(ESV).
And of that, I will testify!
Amen.
Glenda Paquin
Great writing Rick, I loved the start where you say “The reminder of God’s presence and blessing in my yesterday helped point me into security and a firmer grasp of His presence in my today and into my tomorrow.” We must never forget the goodness and faithful of our LORD. It is written throughout his word, and as you noted, it isn’t for a special few, He is a fair and equitable Father, showing favoritism to no one – but He does show faithfulness to those faithful to Him. So I am learning and relearning, that when I am weak He is always strong. When I am hurting He is my healer. When I am in need He is my provider. When I am wallowing in the pit, His mighty arm is always outstretched to bring me out. When I feel unworthy, He always reminds me that I am chosen, adopted, loved and cherished. Thank you for this wonderful testimony and yes, praise the LORD, sing of His mighty deeds of goodness and great power, His loving kindness, shout it out!
Dierdre Abernethy
How often we fail and forget that His Mercies are new every morning. What peace we forfeit when we look at our own strength instead of His ! My journey is to increasingly give God all control and to rest in my inability to control. Thank you Rick , love your gentleness, humility and candour.
Barb Eitze
I love this Rick….Me instep with Him puts Him instep with Me….. sooo good. In the good times and the bad time, yes, especially in the bad times, He is still in step with me, because I’m learning to trust Him, not how I feel or think….such a great word for today.thank you for inspiring us to press on and press in. 👌🏻👍🏻