With joy in my heart I can honestly say that Jesus is everything He says He is. He is the Prince of Peace, the Giver of Life. He is the restorer of all things, the Father to the fatherless, the Lord of all creation. He is the beginning and end and is faithful in all His ways! Though I 'knew' these things about Him, its something entirely different when you 'know' it because He's shown you.
Friends, even when we are walking in obedience to what we feel the Lord is leading us to do, it does not mean it's going to be easy. It is possible to be in the center of His will and everything around you seem to come crashing in. It is possible to be in the center of His will and to the point of almost living in your car. It is possible to be in the center of His will, seeking His face, obedient to His leading, and life just being as hard as you've ever known it. It is possible.
But just as gold is tested in the fire, so is our faith.
How can the strength of something be tested, without resistence? How can you believe in something, without questions? How can you learn His voice, without silence? How do you learn to rely on Him as your source, without need?
I've learned to 'take Him at His Word' for so many circumstances I've found myself in, despite what I was feeling. "God, your Word says that you will NEVER leave me nor forsake me." "Lord, you provide ALL my needs." "You are FAITHFUL to finish YOUR good work in me." "You ARE my help in times of need." "You are MY shelter."
After a couple of years of increasingly difficult times, I found myself questioning God, "Why?!?! Why, when I am following after You, would you allow this to happen?!" His only response to me was, "Holly, am I still who you've been telling everyone I am? Am I still faithful? Loving? Compassionate? Am I still everything you've said I am?"
I want to encourage you, He IS faithful. Take Him at his Word. Trust in Him....because He is everything He says He is.
