“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.” ––Joshua 23:14, KJV
Why are we amazed or astonished when God does what he promised to do, and more so if we only trust him?
Sometimes, we reach a point where we expect God to come through, and our faith is strong, but when he does, we are still amazed. I'm not sure why I react that way. I believe God can do everything he said he would, yet I'm often surprised when he does. Maybe it's because he always answers prayers better than I expected. I must admit that I have frequently failed to see the truth in the first sentence of Mark 7:27, "And they were beyond measure astonished..."
When I reflect on everything God has done and how He has allowed me to be a part of it, I am filled with complete awe. If someone were to tell me that they had experienced such events, I would think they were exaggerating. However, I have seen and experienced it all firsthand and have been involved in it. Looking back, I wonder, "How in the world did all of that happen?"
I believe this is where Jeremiah 32:17 comes into play. There is nothing too complicated for God. I can't explain it, but I enjoy it and am truly thankful. That's why I like Psalms 37:25, Joshua 24:15, and the verses in Mark and Jeremiah. If I had to make a final statement about the Lord on my deathbed someday, it would be those four verses.
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." – Joshua 24:15 (KJV) is a powerful verse that can both uplift and challenge those who read it. It has personally impacted me at various stages of my life. As a child, my grandmother gave me a small paperboard sign bearing this verse, which I proudly displayed above my bedroom door for many years.
I noticed in Joshua that he said, “We ‘will’ serve the Lord.” Not have served the Lord but “will.” This is a man about to die who makes a statement that he’s going out serving the Lord to his last breath. That verse makes me more determined to do what God has for me.
In Psalms 37:25, David declared sometime before his death: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” I agree, and I would throw in a couple of other verses. One is Mark 7:37, “And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well.” Another one is Jeremiah 32:17, “... there is nothing too hard for thee.”
When I think back on the darkest and most difficult times of my life, all these scriptures can be applied to every circumstance, trial, hardship, and situation I've ever faced. I must admit, though, there have been many times Mark 9:23 & 24 were more applicable to my life than these other verses. That's where the father brought his possessed son to Jesus to be healed. (23) “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (24) And straightway the child's father cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
In those difficult times, we often can’t see the sun shining above the clouds. We don't even stop to realize the sun still shines like always. We're like Peter, often looking around at our circumstances and getting weak and afraid. Many times, in my storms, I’m like Peter. I don't mean having faith to walk on the water, but the doubting and sinking part.
Like Peter, we often can't see Jesus through the darkness and begin sinking and crying out for help. The Bible says Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus. It didn't say he had gotten to him, leaving you thinking he still couldn't see and hadn't reached him yet. If Peter had gotten close enough to see him, his circumstances wouldn't have defeated him.
The other thing I noticed was that no matter how far away from Jesus Peter was when he began sinking, when he called out to him, Jesus “immediately” caught him. It didn’t say Peter grabbed him and hung on for dear life; it says Jesus caught him. We can’t grab on, hang on, or do anything but trust God.
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It’s only through him that we can do anything. Paul even said, “In him, we live, and move, and have our being...(Acts 17:28).
When my time comes to die, I want the testimony to my legacy to be, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Why? Because I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken. He has “done all things well,” and “nothing is too hard” for him.
In times of turmoil and uncertainty, it may feel like we're lost at sea in a storm. However, I believe that if we reach out for help, God will be there to rescue us before we are overwhelmed. I am grateful for my unwavering faith in God, knowing I can confidently declare my faith even in my final moments.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me be confident in your ability to intervene on my behalf. Show me I can do all things through Christ. Please help me deepen my faith and trust in your unwavering promises. Please grant me the strength to believe in your ability to work miracles, provide for my needs, and guide me through difficult times. Remind me of the countless times you have shown your faithfulness and love. Let your divine intervention and perfect timing fill my heart with confidence. I believe in your ability to work wonders in my life and the lives of those around me. In your mighty name, Amen.
Your turn: Do you find yourself wrestling with doubts about God? If so, how do you manage to overcome these doubts? Can you recall a specific instance when you remarkably felt God's presence?
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