Don't Think Too Much -- Have Faith and Believe

Today, I was reflecting on the many times where God has never failed me – NEVER! God has always provided what I needed just when I needed it. The essential that God supplied never came too early where I had to store it away for another time. The restoration never came in overabundance where I would waste it or throw it away. My story, my life, can easily be translated into the story from the bible where God provides manna to the Israelites for their daily food and nourishment. (You can refresh your memory of that story in Exodus chapter 16.)

I can testify with all degree of certainty that God gives me the strength each day to face or endure as I need it, as I call on Him in faith. Except for my increased faith, there is no overabundance to save up for the future, yet there is enough for the day. In that way, my faith continues to grow! I need to call on Him – to depend on Him daily. Just as the Israelites learned to trust in God every morning for their daily nourishment, I too trust in God daily to supply my needs. Lord Jesus, I hunger for you. Your love – there is nothing that fills and restores me more.

God also brings people into my life to help encourage me when I need them the most. One of these occasions happened recently, when He sent Jan to me with an exercise to help me rest on the Lord. She told me to review what I knew to be true about God, to list His attributes and how they specifically applied to me. I loved the questions that she listed because in answering them, in direct correlation to how God has worked in my life, it was so revealing. It was better than any “aha” moment that the world could ever conjure up.

As I began to list God’s attributes (saving, worthy of praise, hearing, rescuing, rewarding, seeing, merciful, revealing, powerful, perfect, pure, giving, gentle, refuge, light, truth, all-knowing) – I could go on and on, but you get the picture – He revealed to me what I already knew to be true. God never fails! Reading through Psalms is a good way to develop your own list of God’s attributes. Remembering that God does not change, you have to ask yourself:

--When have I experienced God’s…? (list an attribute)
--Will I trust in that aspect of God (who He is) in my present and in my future?

I found this simple exercise fun and rewarding. I learned a lot about myself, how God was always there with me, is always there beside me, and will never leave or forsake me in the days to come. Thank you, Jan, for this exercise to help me put things into perspective. Thank you for helping me shift the focus off myself and onto my Lord -- He gave me the rest I needed; He gave me the peace I longed for; He gave me His unconditional love and understanding; He helped me with my priorities; He fully restored me for another day.

I am reminded that things in this life are not in my control. I can only control how I react to them. God, give me your control today – restore my peace I find in You alone. Friends, don’t let doubt and unbelief rob you of your joy and hope! Amen?

Romans 15:13, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Chris Tomlin - Overflow