I was reading in My Utmost for His Highest today and Chambers was talking about our complete surrender to Jesus. Towards the end of the devo he asks this question, "Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings and it does not affect our trust in Him?"
Wow, what a question. If you asked most Christians that and they searched their hearts before answering, the reply would be "I don't think I have that kind trust." I just finished John Piper's poem on Job (if you haven't read it please take a minute to read or listen to the audio). This is the core lesson. God wants to see if Job's trust in Him goes beyond the evident and wonderful blessings He provided.
The answer of course is yes. Job decides that he trusts God above blessings and reason. But what does that look like in our everyday lives?
1. We would stop praying about our wants and start praying for deeper faith and trust.
2. We would hold all our possessions loosely knowing that God may take them away as He refines our faith.
3. We would give up control over our relationships because of our understanding that God is working in their lives and we cannot have our way with those we love.
Wow, what a challenging reality check. Do I pray like this? Do I want a life that is this precarious from a human perspective? Maybe the better question is this, "Do I want a life that isn't fully grounded and anchored to Jesus?" How would you answer?
Wow, what a question. If you asked most Christians that and they searched their hearts before answering, the reply would be "I don't think I have that kind trust." I just finished John Piper's poem on Job (if you haven't read it please take a minute to read or listen to the audio). This is the core lesson. God wants to see if Job's trust in Him goes beyond the evident and wonderful blessings He provided.
The answer of course is yes. Job decides that he trusts God above blessings and reason. But what does that look like in our everyday lives?
1. We would stop praying about our wants and start praying for deeper faith and trust.
2. We would hold all our possessions loosely knowing that God may take them away as He refines our faith.
3. We would give up control over our relationships because of our understanding that God is working in their lives and we cannot have our way with those we love.
Wow, what a challenging reality check. Do I pray like this? Do I want a life that is this precarious from a human perspective? Maybe the better question is this, "Do I want a life that isn't fully grounded and anchored to Jesus?" How would you answer?
Comments
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Thanks for your Generous Mind blog. Have enjoyed dipping into it through the year. Trust there is another "thought provoking" post in the pipeline.
May you all have a special Christmas and encouraging New Year.
David