The realty office was closed on Christmas Day so my check in packet, including my keys to our rented home, were left in a locked box outside. Only when I arrived to retrieve my packet, the door to the box stood ajar. The hinge squeaked ominously as I cautiously pulled back the door. Large white envelopes lined the bottom of the metal box and I unconsciously held my breath as I rifled through the stack. The last envelope was mine. Three keys. I let out my breath in a sigh of relief as I walked back to the Lolly bus.
I tend to imagine and brace for the worst when faced with the unknown. Thank heavens God doesn’t leave us guessing when it comes to life and eternity! He spells out in His Word everything we need to know for living a godly life while awaiting His return. He reveals exactly what we can expect at His coming, plus He gives His Spirit to comfort and guide us while we wait. God literally thought of everything.
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”
Psalms 139:1-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.1-6.NLT
“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”
Matthew 10:30 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.10.30.ESV
“So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, ‘The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?’ [Ps. 27:1;118:6.]”
Hebrews 13:6 AMPC
https://bible.com/bible/8/heb.13.6.AMPC
Knowing what God knows should reassure and comfort us as His children. I arrived ahead of my family to the beach. I unloaded boxes and bags of groceries to the kitchen and set about making beds, making sure each person’s room suited their needs. I nudged beds against walls for the toddlers and moved breakables to higher shelves or closets for storage. I placed detergent in the laundry room and tissue in each bathroom. I hoped to provide each one with a comfortable stay. Even though I overlooked a few necessities and undercooked our first meal, requiring microwaving each serving individually, our time together was priceless!
““Do you know of any parent who would give his hungry child, who asked for food, a plate of rocks instead?
Or when asked for a piece of fish, what parent would offer his child a snake instead?
If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?””
Matthew 7:9-11 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/mat.7.9-11.TPT
“If imperfect parents know how to lovingly take care of their children and give them what they need, how much more will the perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit’s fullness when his children ask him.””
Luke 11:13 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/luk.11.13.TPT
God is a perfect Father. His provision is also perfect whether or not we recognize or acknowledge Him. When we ask a blessing as we sit down to a meal, we are recognizing God as the ultimate Provider. When I read Bible stories or sing songs of praise with my grandchildren as we play together, I admit trust in God’s Word and that He is worthy of my praise.
“Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
But don’t just listen to God’s word.
You must do what it says.
Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
James 1:21-22, 25 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.22-25.NLT
Sometimes I find myself reading scripture with fear and trepidation rather than eagerness and joy. I forget the invitation of Jesus to come to Him as a child, to abide in Him. I forget Mary who chose the better portion when she sat at His feet listening to His teaching. I neglect the Spirit who teaches me and reminds me of the words of Jesus, and who intercedes for me before the Father with inexpressible syllables. When I see an obligation where I should see a privilege, I forget what the precious gift of God’s Word cost His Son and the prophets and apostles who scribed them. When I read with preconceived notions, seeking to justify or condemn, I squander precious time with my Lord and Savior.
Jesus often answered people’s thoughts aloud. Unspoken doubts, accusations, arguments, fears, and cries for help were met with lessons, stories, judgments, or healing. He answered perfectly because He is God. He alone knows your thoughts and sees your heart. He is watching for signs of faith, for acts of obedience, for an undivided heart, and for you to acknowledge Him.
““The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.”
Think again, you fools!
When will you finally catch on?
Is he deaf—the one who made your ears?
Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes?
He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you?
He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing?
The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!
Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.
I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Psalms 94:7-12, 18-19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.94.18.NLT
“This means that, contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with his promise to return, as some measure lateness.
But rather, his “delay” simply reveals his loving patience toward you, because he does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance, *to come under grace.”
2 Peter 3:9 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/2pe.3.9.TPT
What does God know? He knows everything that can be known and He never wanted us to be burdened with that knowledge. We were created in His image before we reached for forbidden fruit, before we knew our own nakedness, before the knowledge of good and evil was ours. But Jesus is the Lamb slaughtered before the world was made. (Revelation 13:8)
“Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 7:24-25 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.7.24-25.NLT
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh, for grace to trust Him more
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me
Will be with me to the end
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh, for grace to trust Him more
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh, for grace to trust Him more
Oh, for grace to trust Him more
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Songwriters: Canzetta Staton / Louisa M. Stead / William James Kirkpatrick
’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
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