All things for the good...

Psalm 73

vs 25-26 " Whom have I in Heaven but you? And there is nothing I desire on earth besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Yesterday was the end of a short trial, as two days ago (FRI) my family heard that my Dad was going into the E.R. for chest pain and concerns that he may have heart complications. This began a 24 hour+ period of wondering what God was up to and for what good purpose did He have in mind for us. God graciously gave us a wonderful report yesterday (SAT) that it seems that tests show that nothing seems to be wrong and his heart is strong. Though a short trial, it's a trial, I believe, will bear much fruit and will serve to prepare us for the greater trials to come.

What did I learn? Romans 8:28 is clear that God causes all things to work for our good. Most importantly, God acts for His own glory's sake. I see in the Scriptures that there is never a time that God is not moving and ordaining all things to (1) Bring glory to himself, and (2) Draw our hearts to his purpose and renown. God is glorified in us when: we trust him (Prov. 3:5), we put our hope in him (Ps. 42), cast all our cares upon Him (I Peter 5:2), and are not anxious about our circumstances (Phil. 4:6). How I long to be a glorifier of God like that!

How I long to view every trial in light of God's Word and in view of His mercy. I know I won't succeed every time...but that must be my aim! May we all embrace every cross we must bear in this life as an appropriate response to the cross he bore for us, knowing that He is using all things to conform us into His image, for His glory!