Trust While We Soar

In the last two messages we've considered how God uses storms in our
life
to shape and mold us "to the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29). James

says that storms (or trials) are used to make us "mature and complete,
not
lacking anything" (James 1:4). So when will all our storms end? Not
until
the process is complete. Not until we're called home to be with the
Lord!

But there is certainly much more to our Christian walk than storm
survival. As we mature and grow closer to our Heavenly Father, we will
see
more clearly His purpose and learn to actually rejoice during our times
of
difficulty. Rather than fight the wind, we will allow it to teach us
and
cause us to soar! The storms will continue to be a part of our life,
but
we will also experience seasons of great victory.

These seasons of victorious soaring WILL come! For they are as much a
part
of God's plan as the storm. But they are equally a time of teaching -
a
time where we must be reminded to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust the
guidance of His Spirit.

The Israelites had wandered forty years in the desert and were now
ready to
cross into the promised land of Canaan. But Moses warned never to stop

praising and trusting God: "When you have eaten and are satisfied,
praise
the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that
you
do not forget the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 8:10-11). Moses warned
that
when we fail to trust God during the peaceful times of blessing, we
tend to
forget and quickly become susceptible to our sinful pride.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18
"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have
produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is
He
who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His
covenant."

We must continually "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not
on
your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). We must trust as the storm
approaches and as the waves threaten to sink our boat; but we must also

trust as the wind and waves are calmed. In fact, we must focus on
trusting
Him even more when the storm ceases. In difficult times, we are
continually reminded of our need for God; but times of blessing can
cause
us to trust our own ability, and forget.

God desires far more than to just be available during our times of
great
need. He desires to walk with us in an intimate relationship every
moment
of the day. Let's continue to trust Him while we're sailing through
the
storm; but as we victoriously rise up on the wings of eagles, let's
also
remember to praise Him and trust while we soar.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

*****************************************************
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive07.htm

Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to closerwalk@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm