God's Awesome

I just recently moved back out to Lake Stevens, WA. I was here for just over a year about a year ago for a youth ministry internship and left to go back home for just about another year. As I've moved back out here I've been praying that God would reveal Himself to me and kind of refresh my faith in Him. Sometimes things can get kind of dull or mundane and I can kind of lose sight of who God is. I can think of at least three ways that God has been answering that prayer.

The first is in creation. If you're not familiar with the sights of Lake Stevens, WA let me explain them to you a little bit. The town is surrounded by mountains. None of them are super close, like in the backyard, but some are within just a short drive and on most days it is possible to see Mount Ranier to the South and Mount Baker, I think to the North. They stand out because they are both massive, snow covered mountains but even closer than both of them are a bunch of other mountains that create a backdrop to the town which is known fo the lake that people find much time to relax on and enjoy during the few summertime days out here. The area is gorgeous, but what really struck me as awesome was when I was walking the other night. I went out the front door turned right and began walking down the hill I live on. In the distance I saw some gorgeous mountains. I got to the bottom of the hill and turned right again. Through the trees about a half a mile away I saw a beautiful view of the lake. Both wowed me. As I met up with a couple of people we continued on toward the lake and as we began to walk beside it we turned a corner and their was a full moon coming up just over the mountains. It was absolutely awesome. Needless to say seeing those things that night and the view I had of the Puget Sound at a park yesterday and just kind of left me on awe of who this awesome Creator-God is that loves us so much.

The second way that God has been answering that prayer has been through other people. I have been praying some pretty specific prayers about things going on in my life and God has been answering those prayers through the words of those around me.

The third way that God has answered that prayer is through His Word. Now, you might be thinking to yourself, "Duh, of course He reveals Himself to us in His Word," but I have just kind of been reminded of how the Scriptures reveal to us who God is and as we study them we get to know Him better. It has been good for me to read them and to be filled with the truth.

All of this to say what? That God is awesome and faithful to answer our prayers. Yes, certainly, but as I've thought about how God has answered my prayer I am reminded of two things. One, that He wants us to know who He is, and two, that when we pray according to His will our prayers will be answered and we will receive that which we are seeking.

Immutable God

I'm going to be honest, reading through the Old Testament used to bore me to death. However, this past year I have found it more engaging than ever! The stories just blow me away. It amazes me how time and time again God showed His power, might, and faithfulness to His children.

One of my favorite stories is when God leads the Israelites through the desert, especially when Joshua takes over. Can you imagine what Joshua must have felt? The leader of the entire Hebrew people who had lead them against Pharaoh and out of Egypt for so long was suddenly gone. In my mind, it would have been so easy for Joshua to give up, but instead He chose to follow God's plan. I'm sure these things did occur to him at one moment though, as God assured him in Joshua 1:5 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you."

Did you catch that?

"Just as I was with moses, I will be with you."

When I read that verse I was astonished. Suddenly it hit me that our God is the same exact God that that lead the Israelites through the Red Sea, the same God that brought water from a rock, the same God that brought down fire on a wet offering on the top of a mountain for Elijah. In my mind, it can't seem possible that the One that I pray to could really be the same as the One who heard the cries of David. Hebrews 13:8 reassures that though, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." He really is the same God that could handle everything back then! How then could He not handle the minor trials that we face each day?

He's the same God of the Old Testament and the same God that is all worthy of our praise and trust today!

"I am with you..."

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,

And called from the its remotest parts

And said to you, 'You are My servant,

I have chosen you and not rejected you.

Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:9-10

Have you ever had one of those moments where you cry out to God to give you something, anything to hold on to to help you stay afloat? Well this is one of those nuggets God used to remind me of His promise and His faithfulness. I have clung so tightly to it ever since. I thought He was taking away everything that I He ever gave me; every opportunity, every desire, every change of heart.

Recently, I have been struck down with an illness that the doctors cannot understand or fix. It has taken me away from the beautiful mountains and opportunities in Arizona to the green lands and family filled Wisconsin. At first, being bedridden was a blessing, a time to rest and refresh my body from lost sleep. But now, knowing that it may be a long while before I can go back to doing what I love, it is as if my heart has been broken into a million little pieces. I don't understand why. This was definitely not part of my plans.

However, God has graciously turned away those selfish thoughts, and brought closer to my heart His promises. He knows the plans He has for me - He intends them for good, and through them He gives me a future I can't even imagine, and He gives me a stronger hope. He has given me every blessing - I am thankful for every moment of them.

God is able to do far more than I can imagine, and He does it in ways I don't necessarily understand. But He is not distant...He is with me, and that is all I need. He comforts, He loves, He carries.

Though this small portion of my life seems unfair and I don't understand it, God has given me a peace about it and a reason to keep persevering every day. He has turned my focus back on Him, rather than what I was doing. My life was becoming my god rather than the reason that I live.

Because of Him, I can say "The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." I pray that as the Body of Christ we would never loose sight of His promises, for they are O so precious!