God gives us something better than answers

Dec 6

Psalm 73:26

My body and my heart may grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart and all I need forever.

Not a very cheerful verse to open with, I know. But when I read this verse this morning, I knew it was the one I wanted to share with you.

I do feel weak and I do feel weary. Closed door after closed door after closed door. That is what I thought about as I cried a river last night before I feel asleep. Why all the closed doors? What are you trying to tell us Lord?

Of course there have been other doors too – the doors that are flying wide open with blessings flying wide in. Blessings beyond words.

But the blessings I want right now are answers. Where should we live? Where should we put down roots? What is your purpose in all of this Lord? I want answers. And answers I do not yet have. I know they will come. This I know. But my heart grows weak and my hope falters each night when I lay my head down at night still unsure of exactly what God is up to and where He is leading us.

The weariness is a lot less about all the things that come with loosing your home and your belongings to a storm (in fact, that is no longer what it’s about at all)

The weariness is about the unknown. I don’t like the unknown. I don’t like the waiting. Its not my forte. And right now, it appears God just keeps saying, “Wait, just wait. I know, and I love you."

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

A few days ago, my husband gave me three words he felt God wanted us to pray and think about during this time of transition.

Surrender. Gratitude. Trust.

Huh? I was hoping the words would be more like “Answers are coming.” But no, the three words were Surrender. Gratitude. Trust. And these things don’t come naturally to me.

I want answers. And I want answers to give my precious boys.

But then I’m reminded- God gives us something better, something more glorious than answers. He gives us Himself. He gives us His very presence in the absence of answers. And the absence of answers makes us cling more tightly to His presence. To His comfort. To His grace. To Him. It draws us closer and deeper into the Almighty. If we will surrender, it draws us closer.

And because of the unknowns we continue to face, I do know more of His heart for me. And I do know more of His sacred provision. I know more of His intimate knowledge of every detail we face. And I know more of His faithfulness.

I know what it feels like to be carried in the precious arms of my Savior.

So whatever unknowns you may face today, I want to encourage you with the same encouragement I am holding onto as we wait for answers.

Surrender to, give gratitude for, and trust in the ONE who may not always give us the answers we are seeking and at the precise moment we are seeking them, but…… He gives us something far greater. Himself. THE PRINCE OF PEACE.