Wednesday, November 26, 2014

ThanksLiving

I know it's cliché, but this time of year is often one of reflection for me. The holidays are upon us and the end of the year is near, ad in a December birthday (30 this year!!) and I just can't help but ruminate on the previous year.
During the first few months of the year, I was working my way through the Old Testament books. In my readings, I kept coming to situations where God's people were in the midst of tribulation (take the 40 years in the desert, for example.) Often times, their eyes became focused on the circumstances (camping in the desert indefinitely,) and they failed to focus on the awesomeness of God's grace (in this example, the daily provision of manna and water from stones, to name a couple.) They became so entirely wrapped up in their discomforts that they failed to remember who God is.
Jehovah Jireh. God will provide.
So often, as I would read these stories, I would think to myself, how did they have such weak faith that they would so quickly forget the miracles of God they witnessed first hand (the parting of the Red Sea ring any bells?)
I would shake my head and commit my heart to not be so fickle.
Jehovah Jireh. God will provide.
However, as 2014 progressed, we found ourselves facing trial after trial, quickly becoming overwhelmed by the tribulations we endured. It has been a tough year. My husband and I were talking about it the other day and agreed that it has been the hardest year we have faced since being together (11 years) and I am pretty sure it is at least in the top two or three most troublesome of my life. The struggles have been plentiful and the effort to keep my chin up has been a difficult one.
It was far too easy of a slip to find myself complaining about the desert and forgetting that God's hand was guiding us through. But, slowly, I began to notice all the manna that had rained down around us. Daily, His grace and mercy abounded. We were (and are) still very much in a desert for this season, but my heart has been humbled.
This Thanksgiving, I can say that I am genuinely more thankful than I have ever been in my life. Daily, I gather my manna and praise God for His grace. But, I'm also praising Him for this desert. I am clinging to the promises of His word and trusting His hand.
Jehovah Jireh. God will provide. Even in the parched and relentless desert, His grace reigns.


And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
Habakkuk 3:17-19