For Those Who Love Him

Have you ever found yourself in a difficult or painful situation, and don’t know which way to turn? What do you do? I have, several times, and I call out to God in prayer: “Lord, would You please help me?” I trust Him. I believe in His word and have faith in His promises, so I can rest in this assurance, confident He won’t let me down. I look hopefully over the top of my protective shield in anticipation, inviting Him into my situation, and for a while I have peace.

As time passes however, often my situation doesn’t change. In fact, sometimes it seems to get worse. But I hold on, steadfast and confident that my God will see me through. “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

My thoughts may drift back to my childhood, with mum trying to persuade me to take my medicine. “It’ll do you good,” she would say. Perhaps it tastes horrible, and I must swallow it. God’s medicine often doesn’t taste so good either.  The old saying, “the cure is often worse than the disease” comes to mind.

I look again at the conditions of God’s promise ‘for those who love Him.’ I may stop to consider where I stand on this. Do I really love the Lord? A deep question, so often brushed aside, but I must pause to consider. And then there are the words of Jesus: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38}. Do I really love Him, with all my heart? “Forgive me, Lord. My love for You has grown dim. I have allowed other things to get in the way.”

“Who have been called according to His purpose?” Are my thoughts in keeping with God’s plan for my life? Is this His will for me? Or is it my hope according to what I want? Am I responding to God’s calling, or am I trying to direct my own life in my preferred direction? I may try to plead with God, in the circumstances: “You see my situation, Lord. I can see no way out. I’m getting desperate.” Jesus said to His Father in the Garden, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Am I trying to override the will of God?

Does God really want me to go down this particular route? For me this may be a difficult but urgent situation, outside my control, and there may be consequences.

But I must hand over the reins completely to God. I must lay down my hopes and fears. He will graciously receive them and work all things for good, but in His way.

Several times in my life I’ve experienced what seemed at the time to be a total disaster. But in every situation, in God’s perfect foresight and timing, things have turned out far better and way beyond all my expectations. He knows what’s best for me, He loves me, and I trust Him.