I received this note in an email from my sister-in-law and just had to share it with you all...
"I just read this story of a man from the 1600s, named Blaise Paschal. He was a brilliant mathematician and scientist and has done lots of things that are still valued today. Anyway, he wanted to write a Christian apology for the church of the day. He figured it would take 10 years and was very committed to the project. He spent 2 years writing up his notes and then he became sick and never fully recovered. He prayed, "Prayer for the right use of illnesses." Instead of writing he devoted his life to the poor. The author says this, "As I read his biography I am moved to tears by the heart of this man who was so surrendered to God. He surrendered the glory of a particular service to God. Everything was placed on the altar and there was no bitterness at all when God decided to keep it. Paschal just kept serving the Lord. God, make me like that man! It has taken me some time to learn that the real test of true faith is not how successful we are, but how surrendered we are."" "It came to pass that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah went to dwell in the country of Moab, he & his wife and his two sons." Ruth 1:1 Have you ever wanted to run? I have many times and I must say, the times that I gave in to the urge did not prove to be profitable! The book of Ruth opens with this type of dilemma. We read of a family that left home, but more than that, they left the covering of God that was over that home. Judah was a land established by God through Abraham. (Times of famine usually occured due to disobedience, but they always remained under the promise of covenant that God established with Abraham. God always turned things around when they came to Him in repentance.) Anyway, Elimilech & his family left Judah and went to Moab. Moab was a nation that descended from Lot's son; a son that was born to him through his daughter. Yup, that's what I said. (see Genesis 19:30-38) Are you getting the picture? God plants, establishes and promises to take care of His own. We are to trust Him in the place that He leads us. He will make good on His Word. I can't help but think of Job here, when he cried out... Seeing is NOT believing. Believing is trust and you cannot always see what you are trusting in. Faith is acting on that trust. I believe, so I speak... (2 Corinthians 4:13) |
Inquiring MINDS
Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. 1 Kings 22:5
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