Even if no one else reads this - for I know I have written a lot below - I am writing this to encourage my own heart today.
I am so thankful for God's Word and for the beautiful promises found therein. How grateful I am that His words are entirely and completely trustworthy.
During our Wednesday night youth Bible study, David is preaching through the book of Luke. This past Wednesday we finished up Luke chapter 1 with the song that Zacharias sang after he had been unable to speak for quite some time. Although Scripture references Zacharias as "righteous before God" and "blameless", he still doubted the words that God had sent an angel to tell him; he doubted God's promise that his wife - old and barren up to that point - was going to bear a son. So the angel told him that he would "be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place" (Luke 1:20). We can conclude that from the time he was struck mute (and deaf, which can be assumed from other verses) at the beginning of his wife's pregnancy, until the birth of his son, Zacharias had this time to sit in silence and ponder the greatness of God. When God's promise was fulfilled, and Zacharias' wife, Elizabeth, indeed gave birth to their son, he displayed his belief in God's words and his speech and hearing were restored. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and began singing a song of praise to God:
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David . . .
Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace."
(Luke 1: 68-69, 78-79)
This "horn of salvation" and "Dayspring from on high" was referring to Christ Jesus. But Zacharias was speaking as if Christ, the Messiah, had already "visited and redeemed His people" (v.68). But Jesus hadn't even been born yet. The Messiah had NOT yet come. Why did Zacharias say this? Because, through his past months of silently pondering the person and character of God, Zacharias knew Whom he believed, and that God's words were as good as done! He felt free to speak as if Christ had already come, because He knew that if God had made a promise of a coming Messiah, that he could take that promise to the bank! He could believe God's promise with all his might! Indeed, God's promises are "yes and amen" . . . as good as done!
The other day I was reading from a devotional book that my husband got me a couple years ago, that continues to bless my heart each time I pick it up. I was encouraged, primarily by the familiar, yet beautiful promise of Romans 8:28 :
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
In addition to reading these glorious words of comfort, a sweet peace flooded my heart and mind as I read a comment Charles Spurgeon made in reference to this Romans passage :
"If God ordains it, the worst calamity is the wisest and kindest thing that could befall me."
"Wisest and kindest" . . . those are strong words. So no matter what God ordains for me, my family, my children - no matter how difficult - I know it is what will ultimately bring Him the most glory and what will work in each of us the most good. He promised that it would! I can be assured that it is the wisest and kindest thing that God could ordain. Because His wisdom and kindness is in a totally different category than that of any human - Wisdom and Kindness is Who He IS - what He ordains could be nothing less than the most kind and wise providence.
Spurgeon went on to say:
"And so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, believer's hearts are assured, and they are able to calmly meet each trial as it comes."
"Christians don't merely hold this as a theory, they KNOW it as a matter of fact. . .
Every event so far has worked out the most divinely blessed results."
Specifically today, this promise comforts me most in regard to the lives and future of my children. I am so thankful that our Sovereign God is trustworthy, faithful, and that His promise to "work all things together for good" is as good as done! Praise the Lord!
