My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.2 "There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth for the LORD is a God of
knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.5Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to
hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
9 "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed."
I live a charmed life by my own standards. I could try listing the ways God blesses me and not stop writing for days. But nevertheless I find myself questioning Him. I've caught myself so many times pompously speaking to my Abba Father as though I deserve to understand how and why He works. This passage and Hannah's story were so encouraging for me during a moment of confusion and pain this summer, and this week as I reviewed Hannah's sincere and faithful words I was reminded that the perfect plans our God put into place are not mine to attempt to decipher. He requires of me a trusting and patient spirit, someone who waits upon His answer and timing.
So many pieces of my world right now are open-ended mysteries and yesterday I was drowning in the quicksand of questioning my Father. One thing after another just didn't make sense or didn't seem fair. Funnily enough it was terrible traffic that God used as my rope to the safety of The Rock's solid ground.
Sitting in the bumper to bumper I spent some time mindlessly repeating the portions of Hannah's prayer I've been memorizing and all of a sudden it dawned on me. Hannah had the strength, courage, and faith to trust the Lord enough to relinquish control of her only child without question. So can't I open my clenched fist and give God control over the issues I don't understand too? If I love my Jesus the way I say I do and if I trust in the providence and sovereignty of my Savior I will give Him complete power over my world and let curve-balls hit without swaying in my faith.
Don't ever let me think God can't and doesn't use everything around us to work in our lives. That was just the best traffic jam.
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