"Storms make the oak grow stronger; so trials root the believer more deeply in Christ." J. C. Ryle
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God [is] my defense, [and] the God of my mercy. Psalm 59:17
"God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, so we have no need to fear." Hudson Taylor
These verses and quotes came from my devotional readings in recent days. They could be said to be words of encouragement that arrived at just the right time.
This time last week I felt that I was hurtling towards a cliff with no way to stop the inevitable and no way of knowing how far I would fall or whether it would be a soft or hard landing. There were a lot of unknowns and my only consolation was that nothing is unknown to God.
Over the past few days I have learnt that God is my comfort and stay. He is good. When I am weak, He is strong. His grace is sufficient for me.
I have seen so much answered prayer: from the little things like a mix up with credit cards, to the much bigger things such as being able to sleep - and sleep well - in a motel room all on my own (this from the girl who hardly sleeps when her husband is away from home or when she's in a strange place). Other prayers answered I have chosen not to share to protect the privacy of someone who is extremely private, but sufficient to say, God has answered our prayers again and again, and, at the same time, has reminded us that He is faithful. He cares. He understands. And we are never alone.
During this time, I have keenly felt the peace and the presence of God. And even though there were times I felt unable to pray, I knew that others were lifting me up in prayer.
When we went over what we thought was the edge of that cliff, we discovered it wasn't a cliff at all. When we stepped off, we discovered not thin air, but firm ground. Beneath our feet the ground may have sloped away but we were in no danger. God was there the whole time, holding us and He didn't once let our feet stumble.
There are still so many unknowns, yet we know that God is with us and will see us through. "I will never leave you nor forsake you" is not an idle promise. Never means exactly that. He is not a God who changes His mind or forsakes His promises.
And in the midst of all our unknowns, He is a God who knows. So I can leave it all in His hands, put my fears and worries aside, because He holds it all.
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