Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah

  It is so hard to ascertain what God is doing in our lives at times, especially, when the way He operates seems so foreign to how we would determine to order things. If only things were smooth and easy, then we could function better and find some semblance of joy and peace. Is our joy and peace dependent upon our circumstances (everything going just right), the things that we have, or the way things are playing out?

  There are so many cases written for us in the Word of God of those that lived by faith. Faith meant trusting God and His promises whether life was going “good” or “bad”. What they could see was not the determining factor as to whether they would express a measure of contentment, but rather “seeing” Him who is invisible in every situation would dictate their responses (Heb. 11:27). It was imperative to know that all things would work out for good as ones that loved God and looked for His will to be done (Romans 8:28-29). Life was not about their creature comforts, but about God and His glory (that He would be seen and known – John 11:4, 40)!

  In my devotions, I was once again deeply struck by the account of Joseph and amazed by God’s working along with Joseph’s unwavering dependence upon God. God did not shield Joseph from all trouble, but instead, walked with him in and through the tumultuous times. The phrase is repeated, “the LORD was with him”, during his slave days in Potiphar’s house, and as an inmate at the Egyptian penitentiary (Gen. 39:3, 23). Therefore, we can take heart that as God never left Joseph nor abandoned him, so God will faithfully remain by our side and even lead us no matter where we go or what we are called to endure (Heb. 13:5-6; Isaiah 41:10; 43:1-2). We must learn to lean upon God and rely upon His understanding of our situation and wisdom in guiding us along life’s journey (Proverbs 3:5-6). His plans are always best for us, as He seeks to display His power and love. Let’s let God be clearly seen in our lives of faith!