Tried With Fire

This time last year, I prayed that God would restore my joy. My verse for 2009 was 1 Peter 1:8, Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory . God was faithful and restored my joy. He even restored my odd sense of humor. I probably laughed more in 2009 than the previous three years combined, even though this was a hard year emotionally. It just proves the power of God's grace. It seems like a lifetime was rolled into one year considering all that happened in 2009. I am so grateful to the Lord for upholding us through this difficult season. I am so grateful to the church and saints who have prayed and stood with us. As 2010 draws nigh, I am praying for hope. The coming year is full of unknowns and more change. I dislike unknowns, and I don't like change. I also realize that I am somewhat afraid to hope. Perhaps it's because the one thing I hoped and prayed for was answered with a "no...

(As I was writing my previous post, I remembered this devotional by C.H. Spurgeon from Faith's Cheque Book for April 14. He says so clearly what is in my heart.) He shall choose our inheritance for us. (Psalm 47:4) Our enemies would allot us a very dreary portion, but we are not left in their hands. The Lord will cause us to stand in our lot, and our place is appointed by His infinite wisdom. A wiser mind than our own arranges our destiny, The ordaining of all things is with God, and we are glad to have it so; we choose that God should choose for us. If we might have our own way we would wish to let all things go in God's way. Being conscious of our own folly, we would not desire to rule our own destinies. We feel safer and more at ease when the Lord steers our vessel than we could possibly be if we could direct it according to our own judgment. Joyfully we leave the painful present and the unknown future with our Father, our Savior, our Comforter. O my soul, this day lay down ...

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going . Hebrews 11:8 I don't know where I am going, literally. I honestly don't know what the next few months will hold. I may be working outside the home for the first time in 14 years. I may still be working in the home. I may continue homeschooling or my daughter may be enrolled in a local Christian school. I have no idea because anything could happen, one way or the other. Part of that scares me because it appears that my future lies in the hands of others which I don't like at all. But the truth is that my future lies in only one pair of hands. My future is in the hands of a sovereign and loving God. So here's a golden opportunity to trust Him and let Him choose for me my inheritance. He shall choose our inheritance for us , the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. Psalm 47:4 Trust in him at all times, O people;...