March 27, 2019

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18

When we grow up and look back at our childhood, we see that those who were an authority in our lives made us better and stronger through the things, left to our own devices, we would have avoided at all costs. Those endless chores from your parents, that brutally long assignment from your teacher, or those torturous wind sprints from your coach were actually all done for your benefit. As we come to this realization, we not only understand their motives, but we become thankful for those people in our lives that loved us in this way. If we can understand this about someone who cared for us in our past, why is this concept so hard to grasp when it comes to God? When we go through difficult times, we quickly question the goodness of God. We seem to think that either he has forgotten us or he simply doesn’t care. Don’t you believe it for one second!…

God has not forgotten you! Surely the God who knows every hair on your head also knows that you are struggling to pay bills this month, have a broken relationship, or are battling an illness. It is not that he is unaware or that he does not see those things as important. We can praise him because he is the God who rescues us and then, on top of that, directs every circumstance for our good. (Romans 8:32)

God cares for you with an intensity you can’t even comprehend! God demonstrates his love for us in the most incredible way; when we acted as his enemies he made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his son to save us. So how in the world will the one who loves us so powerfully now fail to always do what is best for us?!…even if we don’t understand it at the time. (Romans 5:8 & 1 Peter 1:3-7)

Heavenly Father, we recognize You are powerfully in love with us and intimately involved in our lives. We put our trust in You today, and praise You always, regardless of circumstances.

In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon