April 2, 2020
A Quiet Certainty
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope (Ephesians 3:20, NLT).
Friend to Friend
Faith is the quiet certainty that God keeps His promises. Most of us don’t like to wait on God with “quiet certainty.” We see a need, and instead of seeking God’s wisdom and timing, we make a plan we think will meet that need … and then, with earthly resources, see that the plan is executed. As a result, we often settle for so much less than God had in mind.
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
Many children seem to possess the “quiet certainty” that God is able. The prayer life of a child is often powerful as they dare to pray big prayers, asking God to do the impossible.
When our kids were young, they taught me that praying big prayers brought big answers to those prayers. Christmas was just around the corner when we decided to go home for the holidays. We lived in South Florida at the time and rarely had the opportunity or finances to fly to Texas where Dan and I were both raised, and our families still lived. Everyone was excited, especially Jered and Danna. While they looked forward to seeing their aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, they were more excited about seeing snow for the first time. The only problem was that snow was not in the forecast. In fact, it was supposed to be unusually warm in Texas.
Danna and Jered would not be deterred. Nothing we said convinced them that there would be no snow for Christmas. Every night, they prayed, asking God to let it snow in Texas. They told all of their friends and anyone who would listen that they were going to Texas for Christmas and that it was going to snow. I gave up, planning what I would say to Jered and Danna when it did not snow. Yes, it would be a hard lesson, but life is filled with hard lessons.
Our plane landed and we were met with hugs and kisses from my sister and brother-in-law…but no snow. It didn’t matter. Jered and Danna were ready. Betty and Carey fielded a barrage of “snow questions” as we claimed our baggage and started home. Interestingly enough, it did seem colder the closer we got to Fort Worth. In fact, by the time we arrived, it was just plain cold. But certainly not cold enough to snow.
As Dan and I unpacked suitcases, the kids squealed with delight at the Christmas tree, the gifts underneath, the home-made fudge…and the snow! “Everybody, come see the snow!” they shouted. Dan and I looked at each other, smiled and continued unpacking, realizing that it was time for the “sometimes God says no” conversation.
Suddenly, my usually rational sister appeared in the doorway of our bedroom, eyes big as saucers. “You are not going to believe this!” she said. The kids had obviously brainwashed her. Dan and I played along, following her to the living room where both Jered and Danna were plastered against the sliding glass door, watching giant snowflakes gently fall, their faith on display for all to see.
Over the years, I have often relived that moment, cherishing the lesson I learned that day. God is able! Even when everything seems wrong and everyone shouts “impossible”, He is able. We may not always understand the process, but we can always rest in the fact that God is God, able to meet every need in ways we cannot begin to imagine outside the possibilities of true faith.
Miracles should be a daily occurrence. “God things” should be the norm if we truly know and abide in Christ. Men and women forsake their faith every day, their lives shattered against a measurable faith by the hammering blows of life.
God stands ready to pour His power in and through us to a world filled with hurting, wounded and hopeless people. All of His power is at our disposal. yet we are satisfied to live day in and day out, in a miracle-less life filled with results that can be understood in human terms. I desperately want to live in such a way that one day, I can look back in wonder at all of the “God things” He did in and through my life. I pray that those who come behind me will celebrate an ordinary life that was lived in extraordinary ways and is explainable only through a power man can neither produce nor comprehend – God’s power.
Let’s Pray
Father, I want to thank You for being my Shepherd and the source of power by which I live. Please teach me how to rest in Your care and trust You no matter how high the mountains or how deep the valleys in my life may be.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
By faith, accept the truth that God is always at work in your life and thank Him for His steadfast provision. Look back over the past few days, weeks and months of your life. Now praise Him for the things He has done.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What are the steps listed in this passage that – when taken – will help you walk by faith?
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