God's Plans

One thing is definitely true about God . . . He moves suddenly. His miracles can happen in an instant, in the blink of an eye . . . at times it's difficult to comprehend His hand . . . you only get a glimpse of His fingerprints. Lately, I've marveled at how powerfully God works on our behalf . . . how He REALLY parts Red Seas, when HE is ready to do so. It's taken me to a new level of trust. He's strengthened my faith by taking me through overwhelming uncertainty and insurmountable circumstances. That's how God works. He works with Red Seas and encroaching armies. I've learned:

God in His love 
always wills what is best for us.

In His wisdom 
He always knows what is best,

and in His sovereignty 
He has the power to bring it about.

We learn to trust God through eyes of faith, not sense. It's about crossing the Jordan . . . after witnessing Red Seas parted. God asks us to stand in our faith, even among the flood waters:

 "As soon as the soles of the feet of the priests...

shall rest in the waters…

the waters shall be cut off" (Joshua 3:13).

God's plans aren't always our own. He rarely does things the way we would. But His ways are best. He knows how to part the seas AND calm them. But the thing that has grown in my faith lately is my understanding of God's sovereignty. His ability to orchestrate EVERY SINGLE DETAIL of my life. It's difficult, at best, to comprehend. Well-known theologian J.I. Packer defines God's providence this way:

"The unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory."

"Unceasing." Packer makes it clear that in all events, in all acts, God directs "everything." It's clear God doesn't take breaks (Psalm 121:4) . . . God doesn't hold a "part-time" job. Whatever you're going through, you may need to grasp that God is overseeing EVERY detail . . . even the actions of others. And if God has allowed it, He has purpose in it. He allowed the Egyptian army to encroach upon His freed people, not to frighten them in to doubt, but to strengthen them by showing them that He parts Red Seas. God is sovereign, all the time.

Maybe you need to go deeper in your faith in this area as well. It's a tough truth to grasp. You may be thrown into a fiery furnace or find yourself obeying God and tossed into a lion's den, but God is in control of it all. And don't doubt that He'll show up . . . know that at the moment your strength is gone, God shows up, to work out His Divine plan . . . and He does it suddenly. He reigns.