06/02/2020
We go through our day working hard to secure those things that will sustain us, but as we complete today’s chores we often forget the one who has made this possible, and who actually provides for us. Over the course of time we tend to forget who gave us the skills we now employ, or even the breath we breathe, and we claim our efforts as our own. Our faith is like a cathedral that is still under construction after hundreds of years; the amazing foundation stones given by God when the ground was first broken are long forgotten, and only what has just been added is praised. The Lord provides for His children now as He gives us every good thing... building today on the blessings of yesterday.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
Our lives are spent asking for God to provide things. Sometimes we ask for a basic necessity, but quite often we think that we are now providing those for ourselves, and only ask Him for our next unrealized desire. We stop thanking Him for the everyday blessings that have made our lives possible... the food once eaten, the water that quenched our thirst, our shelter as a child, the puppy that cuddled up against us, or even the pencil with which we recorded the dreams we are building upon today. All of these things which He has previously provided are now taken for granted. In as much as we do this with material blessings we also tend to do so with the spiritual... We might remember Jesus the cornerstone, but can we name the other foundation stones that support us now, especially since we are so far along, and are working on pews, or installing windows?
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV
Our faith is not just one thing, or built on one moment in time, but is built upon an accumulation of every spiritual blessing provided by God. We rest upon all those biblical characters we have read about, and everyone who has spoken God’s truth into our lives. We are clothed in the blessings of each prayer offered for us, and adorned by every word we have spoken in our prayer closet. All of these things, and more, work together to become the faith in us... all things work together for good.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
Lest we forget who provides for us today, we need to occasionally step back from our lives of faith, and look at how we are formed in our entirety. We need to see our first breath in life, our first prayer breathed out to Christ, and all of the millions upon millions of blessings, prayers, and people, who have been woven together into our lives, and by whom God has enabled us in our faith today.
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
Colossians 2:2 KJV
Today I will get into the driver’s seat of my truck, and drive down the street, and I will thank God for my old Chevy, but forget to thank Him for the road I travel and all those who made it possible. I will thank Him for my family, and for today’s provision, I will look at my life as if I can only see what is right before my face, but in that moment of prayer I need to thank Him again for all those things, great and small, that He has provided which have made me who I am... every sin forgiven, every prayer answered, every good thing so often considered fortunate, and every act of love given, and received. All my life that He has blessed me with... and I need to ask forgiveness for the myriad of things I thought were of my own doing, and neglected to see Him in. He has made me as I am; He is the potter who molds me...
“Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”
Jeremiah 18:3-6 KJV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for every blessing in my life. I thank you for each breath I have taken, and every prayer you have answered. I thank you for the harm you saved me from without my knowing, and those I witnessed as you rescued me; the times that startled me, and made me call out your name. Help me Holy Father to see you in every instant of my life, and trust you in your love, mercy, and goodness, as you lead me on. Help me to praise you for the sun and the storm alike, and to worship you in tears, and laughter. Open every eye Father to the fact that we walk this way together with you, and are partners in the journey, taking each step in unison, and breathing every breath as one. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who loves me so much that you gave your only begotten Son that we might walk perfectly together, by His redemption, through eternity. Praised be your name for the tapestry you have woven, that is my life, and for the potter’s clay that you have shaped, and reshaped, time and time again until it has become pleasing to you. Hear my prayers Lord as I lift them up, and give me an understanding of your will in my life so that I can pray as you would have me do... asking all things in step with your will. Know my heart Father, and may the love that you find there please you now, and forevermore.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:26-27 KJV
Rich Forbes