Stacy's page - Thankful Thursday & God Sees the End

Jul. 24, 2008 - Thankful Thursday & God Sees the End

With dd's current health issues, the scripture that keeps going through my head is "In everything, give thanks." (For more info on my dd, please see my Wednesday post.)

1. Thank You, Lord, that what is happening with my dd is no surprise to You.

2. Thank You, Lord, for keeping her in the palm of Your hand.

3. Thank You, Lord, that this will not deter her from the plan You have mapped out for her life.

4. Thank You that we can depend on You to do what is truly best for us.

5. Thank You for the close relationship I have with dd. I do not take that for granted, especially as she gets closer to those teenaged years.

6. Thank You for the opportunity to hs, especially while we are dealing with this illness. What a blessing to know that we can cut back where we need to so that she doesn't get stressed out by a mountain of schoolwork.

7. Thank You for helping me to take my thoughts captive when they want to run amuck with fears of what may be wrong with dd.

8. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for being with me in other hard times, like my miscarriage. Those times have been training ground to give me the strength I need to make it through this trial with dd.

9. Thank You, Father for my blogging friends, who will pray for us, even though we will likely never meet on this side of heaven. I do not take that lightly, for we are all so busy, and time is so precious. To know that these precious sisters will take of their own time and pray for strangers means the world to me.

Since we are currently going through some scary issues with dd, I decided to use a devotion that talks about trials. I know I'm not the only one out there who could use a little encouragement and insight into our trials.

God Sees the End

When the angel visited Mary in Luke 1:30-33, he told her that she would give birth to a child whom God would give the throne of his father David, and that he would reign forever. Mary saw many amazing things in those early years regarding her son.

When Jesus was born, wise men came to worship him and give him treasures. Matthew 2:1-11

When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple, Mary hears Simeon say "My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people." Luke 2:30-31 She treasured this in her heart.

Luke 2:8-19 tells us about the angels who appeared to the shepherds, telling them that a Savior had been born. Mary treasured this in her heart.

When he was only twelve years old, Jesus amazed the people when he spoke at the temple. Again, Mary treasured this in her heart.

In John 2:1-11, Mary witnesses the first miracle which her son performs. The Bible isn't clear about how many more miracles Mary was able to witness, but I would imagine that even if she didn't see them happen, she at least heard about them.

In Matthew 21:8-11, everyone is going to Jerusalem, and here comes Jesus riding into town on a donkey. Not only that, but the people line the roads, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"

Just a few days later, Mary sees her beloved son hanging on a cross. Her chosen son, the son who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, the son who was to be a king, and he is hanging on a cross? How can this be? OH! The emotions that must have been coursing through her. Can you imagine what she must have felt? She must have felt such anger and confusion. Utter despair must have had a tight grip on her innermost being. Surely her mind was screaming, "WHY?"

After all, she was there when the angel proclaimed that he would be a king. She heard the angel say that he'd sit on David's throne and that he would reign forever. Why would God send an angel to tell her these things when it's obvious that he can't be a king - after all, he's hanging on a cross! She must have been asking God why he pulled Jesus from death's grasp when he was only two years old, only to have him die a cruel death on a cross.

We all know the end of Mary's story. We know that only three days later, her precious Son rose victorious over death, hell, and the grave. We know that He is indeed a King.

Just as we know the end of Mary's story, God knows the end of YOUR story. You may be going through a heart wrenching experience. You can't possibly see what good God could make of the situation. You don't understand what He is trying to teach you, or to show you.

There are times that Rachel wants me to explain things to her. Sometimes the things which she asks about are things that are just too complicated for her little mind to understand. At those times, I have to tell her that I can't give her the answer to that right now because she isn't old enough to understand. She has to just trust that I know best for her. God, who is our loving Father, often chooses not to reveal things to us, as well. He sees that some things just don't need to be explained to us. We just have to trust His wisdom in it.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says that God's thoughts are not your thoughts, and His ways are not your ways. His thoughts are higher than your thoughts, and His ways are higher than your ways.

Jeremiah 29:11 says that God knows the plan he has for you - plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Romans 8:28 tells us that ALL things work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to HIS purpose.

Habakkuk 1:5 says that He is going to do something in your days that you wouldn't believe, even if you were told.

God is so much bigger than ANY problems which we face. He will not fail us. He will not forsake us. Be patient and wait on Him. Be still and know that He is God.

© 2003, Stacy R. Miller

• Post A Comment!

Comments

Jul. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Twinkle Mom

I'm just floored by the strength and humbling words you spoke; Praying for you and your family and just God bless you for sharing your words.