Dear Precious Friends,
On this TGIFF ( Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday) we are reminded of so many beautiful blessings the Lord has given us. I love this reminder from Joel 2:25 and I know from talking with so many of you that we all feel like time was taken away from us over these past 15 months. I am in awe of the life lessons we have received through this time and I truly believe we all need to journal and reflect on all that God has taught us.
We have never been through anything like this Pandemic and we reflect on the Life lessons so we can share them with the generations to come. We always go to God's word for wisdom and truth. This scripture from Joel is a wonderful reminder of truth.
"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. You will have plenty... and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know... that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other." - Joel 2:25-27
Sometimes, life is hard. It doesn’t always go our way. Things don’t always work out in our timing. And often, it seems we get hit from all sides. Problems can leave us spinning, wondering why we didn’t see it coming.
Days, months, even years can go by. We look back and wonder how it all went so fast, yet seemed so slow when we trudged through the difficulties. And though we might try our best to live our lives in a way that honors God, it doesn’t erase the fact that we live in a fallen world. We’re constantly face-to-face with so many battles - hardship, struggles, broken relationships, illness, and our own weaknesses too.
In the midst of all that, we may sometimes feel like we’ve lost time, missed opportunities, or blown chances along the way. We may struggle with feeling as if we’ve walked through too many broken years of pain. Like God could never work through that stuff, it’s just too messy, or too difficult.
BUT GOD!!! BUT GOD!!! REMEMBER THESE WORDS... BUT GOD!!!! THESE WORDS ARE IN SCRIPTURE 43 TIMES!!!
But God.
I would argue that these are the two sweetest words in all of Scripture. Yep, I know that’s a bold claim. After all, all Scripture is absolutely precious. Every word is from God, breathed out by him for our joy and so that we might know him.
But there’s something especially sweet about the words “But God”. They sum up the glory of salvation in an incredibly succinct, yet powerful way.
But the good news is this: there’s still hope. For He alone is our Hope-giver.
Restorer.
Redeemer.
Healer.
Friend.
God is able to restore all that’s been stolen.
He knows our way, He is close, and He’s working far beyond what we can fully see.
There’s a new season up ahead, don’t give up. If we woke up this morning, then God’s not finished with us yet, there’s still good in store.
He is able.
He is faithful.
He is greater than anything we face in this life, and much bigger than our own brokenness or weakness.
Keep moving forward in His grace and power.
Have you ever noticed all the people throughout the Bible that God gave a fresh start? THIS IS WHAT ALWAYS GIVES ME SUCH GREAT HOPE!!!
Moses was an old man before he had an encounter with a burning bush and was called by God to lead a nation.
David, a humble shepherd boy, was anointed to be the king of Israel.
Peter, the apostle who denied Christ, was forgiven and called to spend the rest of his life preaching and glorifying God.
And Paul, who once persecuted God’s people, was transformed on the road to Damascus and ended up writing much of the New Testament.
When you think about all the people throughout the Scriptures whom God forgave, redeemed and used in mighty ways, can you doubt that He is able to do the same for us?
If you need God to redeem your time and restore the years the “locusts have eaten,” through the difficulties or hard circumstances you’ve faced, bring it before Him today. All of it. Ask Him for His power to work mightily through all you have faced, bringing good and renewed strength for this next season still in store. God alone brings hope, choose to focus on all the blessing that He can bring from the struggle. He is able to turn it around to work in our favor, and for His greater glory.
What hope we have in Him!!!
Have a blessed day as we treasure these words in our hearts with the great hope we have in Him!!!
AMEN!
