Weekend Words

I have a new devotional book: Oasis of Hope (Encouragement during Chronic Illness and Pain) - Compiled by Susan Sage.  

I heard Susan speaking on Pam Fields podcast.  And I had heard Pam speaking on Nancy Campbell's podcast (Episodes 320 and 321)

I hope you can follow all that and the links work :)  

Here is one of the devotionals in Susan's book...   

 Content in Your Goodness

"You are good and do good; teach me your statutes." - Psalm 119:68 ESV

Throughout Scripture, we read that God is good.  We may sing that God is good ... all the time.  But do we believe it?  If God is good, how do our illness and suffering fit in?

Isn't this the ageless question?  Satan, the enemy of believers in Christ, brought doubt to Eve's heart.  Satan hissed, "Did God really say that?  No, you can be wise like God.  You can know what's best for yourself."

In one sinful bite of fruit, the enemy made her and us think we are "like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5 ESV).  Because Eve rationalized her disobedience to the One Who is good, all the time, we're now born into the same sinful nature.  So, why do we think we know what's good?

Our suffering was not part of God's perfect design before the fall that we read about in Genesis 3.  His created world did not include suffering.  But is He indeed still good?

"For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5 ESV)

If God's faithfulness extends to all generations, this means He's sovereignly acting in our suffering right now, in this generation.  If we believe His goodness, steadfast love, and His faithfulness endure, and He hasn't changed, and what He does is always good, then He is somehow doing something good, perfectly loving, and faithful for us as we suffer, right?

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Let's trust that our loving Father is always good, and He works our illness together for His good purposes; we will despair if we don't.  Because the enemy lies, Satan makes us doubt God's goodness.  Singing truth can help us become content in those moments. "How good is the God we adore!" (Hart, J., 1857).

What song could you sing of God's goodness today? 

- Lauri Hegle

I think this book is going to become a new favorite.  And I found the rest of the words of the song mentioned...

How good is the God we adore! Our faithful, unchangeable friend:

His love is as great as His power and knows neither measure nor end.

For Christ is the First and the Last; His Spirit will guide us safe home:

We'll praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that's to come.

From Beside the Still Waters...

Waiting Upon God

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

We tend to become impatient and to take quick action based on our feelings or desires.  Instead of being still before the Lord, patiently waiting upon Him, and seeking His will, we prefer to follow our own reasoning, take matters into our own hands, and maybe even ask God to bless our desperate plans.  But how often have we missed God's richest blessing and brought trouble and stress upon ourselves by running ahead of God in our hasty actions?  We do well to remember that the time clock of sovereign, all-wise God moves with perfect precision, though it may not be according to our thinking.

Waiting upon God does not mean being inactive in serving the Lord or ceasing our daily work.  Our charge is, "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13).  We should work while we wait, being in tune with our Maker and allowing Him to direct all the steps (and stops) of life's journey.  "My soul, wait thou upon God, for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5).  By so doing we give evidence of faith in God and trustful confidence in His overruling hand. It involves bringing our needs and burdens to Him in prayer, with a surrendered heart and a ready, positive response to His revealed will.

In waiting upon the Lord, we acknowledge the futility of our own efforts and inadequacy of our understanding.  We depend upon the One who alone can give the help, strength, and wisdom we need.  As heaven-bound pilgrims we also eagerly anticipate the coming of our Saviour, Christ the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 3:5).  Until He comes, let us wait continually on Him for His divine presence and power, grace and guidance, which we need each day along the upward way.

Mark Kropf - Halsey, OR