This link(I hope it works) goes to an article I read this morning by Chuck Colson. It deals with a topic that many have been facing here lately--dark times when the toughcircumstances seem to not make sense. I know something about that myself--I don't like to bring up difficulties very often for fear of sounding as if I'm complaining. I have learned that God is faithful and trustworthy, even when it looks just the opposite. These times always put a 'new twist' on the concept I have of Him, and always reveal some new facet of His grace. By reveal, I don't mean a new revelation, such as Scripture or anything at all on that line--I mean He brings something concisely into focus that is already revealed in His Word. Illumination , I guess is the better term. For all of you who have ,and are suffering through some very difficult circumstances, whether they've been shared through the prayer requests or kept to yourself--know that He is at work, He is doing as He promised, and that He is in control--regardless of what your circumstances and the Accuser is whispering or maybe shouting in your mind.In Job, I was struck to find that in the final analysis when the Lord finally spoke after all the foolishness that was spread around like fertilizer byJobs 'friends', that the Lord only replied by saying--Where were you when I hung the stars and planets, created the wonderful creatures on earth? I didn't need your counsel then, and I don't need it now.He then went on to show His great compassion to Job, by restoring to him all that He had allowed to be taken, more than He allowed to be taken. Whether He does that for us now or not is not the issue, because He will give abundantly more than we ask or think--either now, or in His presence. Who will even remember the tough times at that time?Proverbs 3: 5,6 says to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and LEAN NOT UNTO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS.By acknowledge Him, I really believe He means that to recognize His sovereignty and His supremacy and Lordship in all concerns, with the backdrop of the Cross that reveals His great compassion--- remember that He is God, and not us, and that in all things that He IS working them together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.A cake has many ingredients--some are sweet by themselves and some are bitter by themselves, but when they are mixed together by someone who knows how to blend those ingredients and how to subject them to just the right temperature, for just the right amount of time--the result is something very good.Your friend--Greg
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/012/15.80.html
To All On Here
