Did you know that there is a special promise waiting for you

to be fulfilled when you trust God?

 
Trust God to Move on Your Behalf - The Benefits are Amazing

Life is full of events for which we have no control.

June 3, 2009, is forever indelibly marked in my heart and mind. The few words heard at four o’clock that afternoon changed my life in ways I could never have imagined.

Two months earlier, when I was backstage running through a little message I would be sharing with kids at church, I said the words I would be inviting them to say, “I can trust God no matter what.”  And in my spirit I sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me, “Can you really?”  My heartfelt response was, “I hope so.”

I really truly wanted to believe that I could trust God no matter what.  But, until we’re in “that” position, we’ll never know.

Before that fateful day, whenever either of us was in one of those positions that required faith my friend used to say, “Remember… I can trust God no matter what!”

In my heart, I knew that trusting God was pivotal, yet I tried to be the one in control more times than I can count.

Note to self… when you put God in the passenger’s seat… he sits there and waits until you let him back into the driver’s seat.

This morning this verse came across my screen.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Psalm 37:5-6

Immediately I had an emotional reaction.  My eyes even welled up.

In an instant, my heart was encouraged.

It’s all BIG GOD and little me.

See all the things that God WILL DO?

He will act!

He will bring forth my righteousness!

He will bring forth justice!

 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Romans 828 - Trusting God

 

God makes it easy for us to trust him.

It’s our culture and the enemy that continually undermines our attempts at trusting God.

What do we get for driving down “that” road?

Anxiety, stress, sleeplessness, worry, weight loss, weight gain, wrinkles, poor health, and much more…

To be perfectly honest… I’ve struggled with all the things I just listed.

I have control issues. It’s been a life-long struggle for me.

I’m selfish and I want my own way.

But, on the other hand, I know God’s way is better and I really really want HIS way more.

Changing my ways has been difficult.

I’ve made small steps and once in a while, I’ve even taken a few giant steps.

Slowly I’ve come to realize that any right thing (righteousness) in me is due to God’s work in me… with my willingness.  (Ultimately I know that we would have no right standing with God (righteousness) had Christ not died on the cross for our sins.)

God is limited by our willingness. He could… but he doesn’t force us to do anything.

 

God makes it easy for us to trust him.

 

A few of my friends have made remarks about how I live my life that have totally blown me away.  I would never in a hundred years, ever think those good things about myself.  Yes, I might hope that one day I might be like that.  But, for friends who know me to see those things in me totally blows me away.  And so it is in reading this verse, He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, I’ve come to realize that God is taking this commitment I’ve made to him and my small steps at trusting him to show his work in my life to the world.

All the rightness I have and exercise is only possible because I trust God.  It’s a reflection of God’s rightness/righteousness.

What fascinates me is that God illuminates it.

When I was a little girl, whenever there was a big event in our town, a business or organization would bring in an enormous light and point it up to the night sky and cause the beam of its light to move across the sky to attract attention and draw people to the event.

I’m not suggesting that those of us, who choose to trust God and commit to living his way, are like flashing neon lights.  What I am suggesting is that in the darkness of our world, we show up.

And… we don’t just show up… we bring light to the darkness… hope to those hurting, discouraged, lost, and fearful.

 

God makes it easy for us to trust him and fufills his promises when we do, too.

 

The last few words of this verse encourage my heart… your justice as the noonday.

What happened that fateful day back in 2009 was wrong.  It’s taken me years to forgive as God wanted me to forgive.  Forgiveness is like an onion.  There are so many layers of the onion and there are many layers to forgiveness.

We all have experienced wrongs.  Ultimately the only one who has the power to justify those wrongs is God.  But… there is one thing we are required to do… and that is forgive.  Everything else is God’s work.

Believe me, there is much freedom in understanding that.

Maybe that’s what makes the idea of “justice as the noonday” so amazing to me.

The sun is brighter and more intense at noon than any other time of the day.

God isn’t going to work out our justice on a dark night when no one will see it.  No.  He chooses to do this at a time when everyone will see. His justice is a wonderful thing and it frees me from thinking about what’s wrong, or unfair, or worse.  It’s no longer my concern and I know that it will be astounding.

In the world’s economy, we are poor and set aside.

In God’s economy of love and grace, we are rich with peace, provision, hope, and joy.  These are truly priceless.

We have experienced these things through the trials of life — the refiner’s fire and are blessed because of each one.

Yes… there is much room for improvement and growth in my life.  But, in my mind, the righteousness that God has worked out in us through these challenges is God’s justice too.  It’s difficult to explain… but it seems that it is only by passing through the fire that we are changed and blessed.   We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. (Romans 8:28) Without these experiences, despite having our world turned upside down, we would not have experienced the depth of God’s grace and goodness.

Have you had your world turned upside down or experienced some sort of life-changing event?

  • How have you worked through it?
  • Has it increased your trust in God or caused you to waver?
  • Have you been open to allowing God to work in your life through those difficulties?

If you haven’t yet gone through such an experience…  I encourage you today to commit your way to the Lord and trust him.  It’s the ONE THING that will help you more than anything navigate the rough seas you will encounter, if you haven’t already.

 

Learning more about the benefits of trusting God on JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

 
I’ve come to the conclusion that counting and giving thanks are key to trusting God.  When we take time to see all that God is doing in and through our lives we have to admit that it’s pretty amazing!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.

This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space resets our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord. And ultimately fills our hearts with JOY!

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. Your word and how it breathes life and goodness into our lives.
  2. for the reminder that YOU are at work on my behalf…. every. single. day.
  3. an impromptu lunch today… and for blessing me with a good friend.  
  4. caring even more about the people we care about and working in their lives for good .
  5. the fun of gathering greens and berries.  It makes me sad that my fear of ticks stops me too often from taking the hikes I so enjoy.
  6. giving me an extra boost of energy for the day.
  7. Your everlasting love and the season of Christmas that’s coming where we remember and celebrate Your awesome gift of Jesus.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.May your week overflow with unimaginable Joy! Signature - AnExtraordinaryDay.netReceive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
Sign up Now

Comments

  1. Minnie McCoy says

    Joy Day Diane!
    January 5 2002 my world changed. My Aunt died. I held her hand. My father was just outside the door. He simply could not come back into her hospital room. This woman was more to me than just my dads sister. More than just my Aunt. She acted as my mother. A friend that had always loved me. Helped me. Taught me.
    As I was crying and holding her hand I said, I trust you Lord. I trust you. He quietly took her home.
    I thank you Lord for,
    1. Reminding me, I trust the GOD of everything
    2. Son had medical test, came back OK but more testing to do. I trust you Lord
    3. My father will never get well or even come close to being the man he was. I trust you Lord
    4. New baby has swollen kidney. Testing at Oakland children Hospital to be done. I trust you Lord
    5. Since husband injury and retirement money is so tight. I trust you Lord
    6. G. passed away 5 days ago. His family are devastated. I trust you Lord
    7. You Lord have given me some beautiful friends. Thank you Lord
    Blessings to you!
    Minnie

  2. Pamela says

    Thank you Lord for:
    1. Being able to go outside and do some work this past week.
    2.The safe trip we took.
    3. Being able to get my shopping done.
    4. For my husband.
    5. For the visit with my mom that didn’t cause a argument or hard feelings.
    6. For the beauty in the nature around me.
    7. For another Birthday.

  3. Gwen says

    Ahh Minnie above. Many trials on her plate this week. It brings tears to my eyes. So much that is not easy yet she puts her trust in the Lord. Her husband is not only retired but injured as well. Life is forever changed. Dear LordBe with Minnie these days to encourage her during the holidays ahead.
    Joy Day
    1. Husband ‘s new job goes well.
    2. My friend to take me three places last Thursday.
    3. Good help on Friday.
    —my leg is really bothering me as I write. It has symptoms and I’m not sleeping. I don’t want to bother a doctor but it has gone on nearly a month. I’m so miserable right now.
    4. Pain. It keeps me from senseless activity
    5. My big sis who is loving
    6. My wonderful Aunt too.
    7. Thank you Lord I have a few friends.
    Jesus is my friend. .

  4. Minnie McCoy says

    Dear Gwen.
    A friend I will never personally know. This is Minnie.
    Thank you so much for the prayer and sweet heart you just showed towards me and my family.
    I will be praying for you as well. You now have one more friend?
    Blessings to you!
    Minnie

  5. Julie says

    Thank You God for:
    Your mercy (I mess up alot)
    My boy and his sweet loving personality
    This hard time (I know it’s to grow and change something in me)
    The roof over our heads and vehicle that’s gone more miles than she should have.
    Helping me finish my resume (help me find a job that works around everything that’s changed..asap please)
    Thank You for your sacrifice of your son and for thinking this imperfect hot mess was worth it. I love you God ?

  6. Sherica Blackman says

    Thank you God for:
    1. Waking me up this morning and breathing the breathe of life into me
    2. Thank you for putting a roof over my head
    3. Thank you for allowing me to pursue my degree
    4. Thank you for my family
    5. Thank you for just allowing and showing me how to come to you for help
    6. Thank you for your word spoken over my life
    7. Thank you for comforting me while grieving the death of my father

  7. Mika Gilchrist says

    1.Thank you for my parents grandparents and peers.

    2.Thank you for keeping a roof over my head.
    3.Thank you for making a way out of no way.
    4. Thank you for keeping me through all the hurt and pain and depression.
    5. Thank you for my handsome baby boy.
    6. Thank you for all you are going to do.
    7. Thank you for what you have done.

  8. Angie M Bingham says

    Thank you God:

    for waking me up in my right mind…
    allowing me to care for my mom during her sickness…
    for my son and his transition into adult hood…
    for sending me a Godly man…
    for my place of employment…
    the students/families I serve everyday…
    my church family…

    THANK YOU GOD FOR ALL THINGS

  9. Richard Ebi says

    1. Father, I thank you for your love towards me you’ve made manifest by your Son and Spirit
    2. Thank you for blessing all that I do
    3. Thank for my new job
    4. Thank you for being my wisdom
    5. Lord I thank you for your grace that causes men to follow me
    6. Thank you for making me a blessing
    7. Lord thank you for putting the dread and fear of me upon the nations

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

*

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.