The Scripture that never ceases to be on my mind: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)
A test is coming up–“My grace is sufficient…for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” I wonder whether that means I’ll fail in order to display my weakness, or pass in order to show God’s strength. I learn something I never wanted to know. Is it a test? Is it temptation? I want to know. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The problem with my questions is simple–Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” I cannot know the mind or purposes of God in the minute details I wish I knew. All I can know is the great mystery–God choosing to use my weakness to accomplish His glory.
I went on a whim to GreekSide last night. Chase Pettis said something that resonated with me. He mentioned the apparent contradiction in Psalm 43:3-5. The Psalmist starts off saying that God’s presence is his greatest delight–then turns around to say, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” Chase said he identified with this passage as being part of the human condition–knowledge reaching from head to heart. I identify too.
Too often, this is the story of my life. Even this morning, I struggle with the paradox. I know that God is perfecting His plan in my life–but I fear to step out in obedience. I know that God will never allow me a temptation I can’t andle–but I despair in my situations. I can feel so close to God, but still a part of me resists His dwelling place. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”
Such an easy answer, yet so hard. Hope in God. Hope in God. What is hope? It is looking past the circumstances at the one great goal. It is seeing beyond the darkness and looking to the Light of the World. It is not giving in to despair, but seeing Christ as above all. Hope is recognizing who God is and placing your trust in Him.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?…Hope in God.”
Teach me to hope, moment by moment.