You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. Psalms 4:7
Sometimes it is difficult to see God's goodness in the midst of trials but the truth is, trials are his goodness. Trials hold purpose. They aren't a form of torture but of love. Trials refine and purify us. They test our faith. They point us back to Christ and reveal his glory and power reminding us that God is the source of true and lasting satisfaction.
But.. While on this earth our faith wavers causing us to search for satisfaction apart from Christ. Sin tempts us with having the newest iPod, wearing Louis Vuitton or finding it necessary to explore every end of the earth.
As I was struggling today I turned to the Psalms to read a few of David's prayers. The above verse really stood out to me. It shows that God is more valuable than the abundance of grain and wine. Picture the joy the God's people had when they realized they'd have enough to eat until the next harvesting season. What if the harvest time yielded no grain? Where, then, was their joy? The point is that when we put our faith in things or circumstances and forget where true and satisfying joy is, we are left empty. We are left with doubt, insecurity and disappointment. When we put stock in this one thing and it fails there is nothing left to hold on to. But when we hope in Christ and lose the thing we were counting on we still have everything!! Then, when his answer is yes we rejoice in him, the provider, not the provided!!!
My eyes are seeing all the things God is blessing me with lately. I see each thing as a gift from him allowing me to be able to bring each gift he gives me right back to him in worship! He is showing me that his gifts are a reflection of his goodness and something he gives out of his overwhelming love for me. I am learning to respond to him with joy rather than being joyful in the gift itself.
My eyes are seeing all the things God is blessing me with lately. I see each thing as a gift from him allowing me to be able to bring each gift he gives me right back to him in worship! He is showing me that his gifts are a reflection of his goodness and something he gives out of his overwhelming love for me. I am learning to respond to him with joy rather than being joyful in the gift itself.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath His covenant and blood
Support me in the ‘whelming flood:
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found.
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath His covenant and blood
Support me in the ‘whelming flood:
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found.
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnt7kJ6NE4
