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Eternity and Beyond

"Man is like a breath;

His days are like a passing shadow."

 - Psalm 144.4

This life is short, and we never know which day will be our last. Thank God that even after death, we can continue to have a relationship with Him that will last for all eternity.

Five To Be Thankful For

1. My family - As with all families, we aren't always spectacularly kind or patient with one another, but we love each other and are extremely close.
2. My job - The fact that I was done with uni for only two weeks and then straight into full time work is something of a miracle, that definitely is not the case for most people.
3. My health - A cold here or there, an ugly insect bite on my leg; these aren't big things, so grateful God for keeping me in good health
4. My friends - I have amazing ones. They all know who they are, but it has been a blessing to know them, and I have learnt so much and grown so much with them, I'm praying I continue to do so.
5. My housing arrangement - I'm not living in my own place right now but I am living rent free, which in the  current economical environment, unless you are living with your parents, is extremely unusual. Super grateful to God.

And a song, because I am currently listening to it on ibethel and LOVE it! (I have however already posted this song on the blog so apologies for repeating!)

"Oh give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; tell of His great works to the ends of the earth!"

-1 Chronicles 16.8 (Paraphrase)

Jeremiah 17.7 and Psalm 125.1

Yesterday the sermon in church was about hearing God; whether or not we understand Him to still be speaking today and if so how. There were many ways; the bible itself, things around us, a confidence 'I just know', other people, sometimes even an audible voice.

Anyway, as I go through this somewhat trialling time in my own life, I felt God drop the phrase 'but the man who trusts in the Lord is like...' in my head.

I googled it, the following two verses came up:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord." - Jeremiah 17.7
"Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever." - Psalm 125.1

My hope is in Him who cannot be shaken, therefore no matter my circumstance, I will hope and trust in Him alone.

The earth may shake, my world might change, my circumstances will always change... but He will never change. The same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13.8).

♫ Jesus, You're my firm foundation, I know I can stand secure...♫

Never Once - Matt Redman, 10,000 Reasons

"Never once did we ever walk alone,
Never once did you leave us on our own,
You are faithful God,
You are faithful."

No matter how far you run, what you've done, who you think you are or where you come from, God remains the same; arms outstretched, welcoming you into His family. No condemnation, no guilt. The opposite. New and exciting ventures, hope, forgiveness, real everlasting life, and of course, LOVE.

1 Corinthians 1.25

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

Wiser, higher, stronger, greater, better.

But even more than that;

Wisest, highest, strongest, greatest, best.

There's a verse I love in the bible (one of many!). In the verse, God (speaking through Isaiah) says this; "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55.9)

On a personal level, I'm in a kind of wilderness at the moment. I'm in London, when I was hoping to be making tracks to Stockholm. I'm a little lost because I'm not a one hundred percent sure what I'm doing here right now. I'm in an Internship, which I am thoroughly enjoying, but it's in London, not Stockholm.

I'd be lying if I said that I was sure about what I'm doing or where I think I'll be in the next year. God has a way of surprising us and taking our plans and turning them on their heads. So I don't know.

However, one thing that has always comforted me, is the knowledge that all the stuff I don't know, God knows. And I trust God. I believe that His wisdom, planning, foresight and provision are far better than mine will or could ever be. And I believe that He has a plan for my life and that it's a good one (Jeremiah 26.11).

I can't remember if I've ever shared this here, but something that struck me when I read the story of Noah in the Old Testament was the fact that there was only one window in that ark, which in a boat of such size, filled with that many animals, would have made it difficult to see what was going on outside.

Now, whilst Noah knew how long it would rain for, he didn't know how long he'd be on the waves for, and he didn't really have that much of an insight into what was going on around him. But he did know that God was with him, and had put him in the ark in a place of safety, to preserve him despite what was taking place around Him.

God's done the same for me. He's got a plan for me, and even amidst the change going on around me, I know I'm where I am now for divine purpose (because God has organised it for a reason of eternal (everlasting) significance) and that He's with me and will never leave me (Matthew 28.20b)

It might not make sense to me, but it makes sense to God, and with wisdom like His, what more do I need?

Only By Grace - Don Moen