ALL THE TIME I forget that God is God, and I try to tell Him what is the "best" or "wisest" or even the "Godliest" way for my future to precede. I say, "ok God, just look over my checklist - let's do this and then that and everything will be good, and surely this specific plan will glorify you -- so, just sign right here and we'll start checking things off my list!"
Yes, God wants to bless us and give us what our heart desires, but above that - He wants to be Lord of our life. Do we allow Him to be Lord of our life? What about at least Lord of our day, or this hour, or even just Lord of this very minute? Who is "in control?" Are we telling God what is best, or are we BELIEVING that He, and He alone is God, that He does and will always have everything under His control?
The sermon in Nashville today was about the death of Lazarus. Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha were close friends of Jesus - Jesus wept for the loss of His friend. Jesus was preaching, away from Judea when He heard that Lazarus was dying - and Jesus chose to stay and teach two more days before leaving. I can only imagine the frustration and hurt Mary and Martha felt, calling upon Jesus - whom they knew could heal their brother - and yet, He did not come to save Lazarus.
Days later, when Jesus did come, all hope was gone; Lazarus was dead. Martha ran out to Jesus and said, "Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." (v.21) Martha was saying to Jesus - look, here is the checklist of what should have been done to glorify you. See, first you come and save Lazarus, then we will all travel around and give our testimony about how you saved him, and You will be glorified and praised! Sounds great, right??
It's good, except that God's ways are higher than our ways. Jesus was "in control" the whole time. He said in the beginning, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (v.4) And then, explaining it to His disciples, He said, "Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe." (v.15)
Jesus was "glad" that Lazarus died, and that He wasn't there to save him???
Oh, yea - that's because HE'S GOD!! And He actually does have it all "under control!"
Driving back to Auburn while "marinating" on this - a really old version of "He's got the whole World in His hands" came on the radio. I think I need to sing that song more often! What a great promise it contains - so simple, so true, so - let's sing it and believe it!
What are you trying to control in your life? Let it go, just like when Lazarus was raised from the dead (Praise God!) - and Jesus commanded the people to "unbind him and let him go." What is binding you? Throw it down - because the Creator of the universe is in control - and guess what? He loves you.
"By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8
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