day thirty-six.

the storm - day thirty-six.

Title: God's Sheep-Dogs

Author: Elisabeth Elliot

From a friend whose son, two and a half, had to have surgery for a cyst (always a worrisome sign): "The cyst was benign! We are so grateful! We set the Lord before us so we will not be shaken for the living of life. Our goal is not to be comfortable and have everything turn out fine, but to be godly and make an impact on our dying world and its values.... May God continue to refine your life message as 'He keeps you from willful sins as His servant; may they not rule over you' (Psalm 19:13). Barrett (my son) memorized Genesis 4:7, and as he faces temptation he says the verse. He is learning to make wise choices and to be obedient.... We have not spared the rod on him but it has really worked. He says 'the rod drives out my foolishness.'"

That letter came on the same day that I was reading Hannah Whitall Smith's Everyday Religion. She quotes George MacDonald. His words illuminate what Barrett's mother wrote:

"Man has a claim on God, a divine claim for any pain, want, disappointment, or misery that will help to make him what he ought to be. He has a claim to be punished, and to be spared not one pang that may urge him toward repentance; yea, he has a claim to be compelled to repent; to be hedged in on every side, to have one after another of the strong, sharp-toothed sheep-dogs of the Great Shepherd sent after him, to thwart him in any desire, foil him in any plan, frustrate him of any hope, until he comes to see at length that nothing will ease his pain, nothing make life a thing worth having, but the presence of the living God within him; that nothing is good but the will of God; nothing noble enough for the desire of the heart of man but oneness with the eternal. For this God must make him yield his very being, that He himself may enter in and dwell with him."

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from DAY BY DAY GRACE - BlueLetterBible.org

Our present study reveals another strategic illustration of the extensive consequences ofwalking by faith. Fear is one of the major threats to living as God intends. Faith in God brings the courage that is needed to overcome fear. Moses' parents are outstanding examples of acting courageously, by faith.

Moses' parents courageously risked their lives in order to do that which would be pleasing to God. Their action was based upon their faith in God. Whenever necessary, we too can act courageously, if we rely upon our great God. "In God I have put my trust; I will not beafraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:11).

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"giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Ephesians 5:20

dear Lord,

this is so where we are in this storm. it's hard to walk by faith when we're facing fear on so many fronts. not knowing... not knowing if it will get worse, what's down the road, more pain? more difficulty? how much more, Lord? it's fear at the heart. and yet i love that perspective from elisabeth elliot's devotional today - thank You for that. 

We set the Lord before us so we will not be shaken for the living of life. Our goal is not to be comfortable and have everything turn out fine, but to be godly and make an impact on our dying world and its values

not comfort... impact.

yes, i know... these things i know. but Lord, i need help to bridge that which i know with how i live. i want to face the storm courageously, by faith in You - knowing that You will bring it all together the way You see fit and that is good. Your will is good. Your will is for our good. help us to rest in that.

and yes, to be THANKFUL. "always... for ALL things". look at those "all's". 

man, that's hard... and yes, it's another one of those things i absolutely know - and yes - believe. yet putting it into action is another uphill climb on its own. but i can sense it taking root and growing. let not bitterness or resentment overtake me, Lord. i know You can conquer all of that in me. the sin nature within me wants to be upset - to wallow in how things have not turned out as well as we've hoped at this point... to curse the fact that we are looking at an unknown time frame of unknown circumstances. we simply do.not.know. and it's scary. downright frightening. 

but You... You want us to let it go, don't You? You want me to remember right now that YOU are in control. i have NEVER been in control. i will never be in control. YOU are running the show. i'm just supposed to follow Your lead. to be content in the silence... when You see it fit to not give an answer when i ask You, "why?" or "where?" or "when, Lord?" and to not only be content... but to be peaceful - even moreso, joyful. You are my Captain. You guide. You lead. You steer. You calm the storms with the word of Your mouth. You set my feet on solid ground. YOU. YOU. YOU.

oh Lord, how weak and frail am i... how feeble my faith. Lord, abolish the fear, the anxiety... remove it from me, O God... so i can submit to Your sovereignty, Your complete and perfect will for our lives. 

Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes.

I give up all my desires and hopes.

I accept Your will for my life.

I give up my life, my self, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever.

Fill me and seal my with Thy Holy Spirit.

Use me as Thou wilt. Send me where Thou wilt.

And work out Thou whole will for my life... at any cost... now and forever.

Amen.