We have probably all said at one time or another, “God works in mysterious ways!” And, “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.”
I would love to highlight a few things for you to think about. First, the more I study Scripture and the more I desire to know and hear God’s voice in my life, the better I see several things God has revealed to me. In my Scripture study I see the supernatural hand of God in:
Fire sent from heaven when Elijah prayed for fire to consume the wet altar before the prophets of Baal.
A ram that happened to be caught in the bushes nearby. The substitute when Abraham was stopped by God just as Abraham was about to obediently sacrifice Isaac.
These are just two examples but there are hundreds. God is a miracle maker. We see Him most clearly when we are following Him and obeying His voice above all others.
The character of God and God’s nature is consistent in all of Scripture. As I live out each day, I see the supernatural hand of God. It has become a familiar sight to me. I expect to see it. It is not so mysterious to me as it once was. I look for it hour by hour. I seek to abide in HIM. As I study and apply Scripture to my own life, I am continually given the gift by God to have the “eyes to see.” Mysterious is not really a word I would use anymore when I see God show up and show out in all the events in my life and in the lives of others. I expect to see Him!
God is not a God of old, He is a God of now. A God who is very present and aware in all of life. Looking back on times when I did not see Him, I realize I was not looking. Often He was not first, therefore, I was not following the path where I would be able to SEE and experience. I praise Him now for allowing the darkness to be so prevalent that I crashed and was redirected to a new path.
Point: In order to see God in your life, His MIGHTY HAND, you have to follow behind Him…allowing Him to lead.
I speak from experience of getting this order mixed up and consequently being “lost in life” in darkness. I had wandered off His path following voices that were not His.
Second, I now know and have lived, God DOES give us more than we can handle. But why? First, so that we look to Him and RELY on Him. And second, so that He gets the credit in all of life.
See Paul’s words to the church in 2 Corinthians 1:2-11, “We do not want you to be uninformed brothers and sisters, about the TROUBLES we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, FAR BEYOND OUR ABILITY TO ENDURE, SO THAT WE DESPAIRED OF LIFE ITSELF. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. BUT THIS HAPPENED THAT WE MIGHT NOT RELY ON OURSELVES BUT ON GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On HIM WE HAVE SET OUR HOPE that He WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER US, AS you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to prayers for many” [emphasis mine].
Point of Post: God is the ultimate “Mover and Shaker.” He is the Lord of lords and King of kings who walked on water and walked out of the tomb. Amen!
We have something today that Noah, nor Abraham nor Moses had. We have the ability to have Him live within us through His Holy Spirit. My prayer is for all to know Him, to invite Him into your life, to surrender to His direction and lay down yourself. Scripture calls it “denying self” so that we may truly live.
I can speak from experience…I have seen many rams caught in the thicket as I have walked in obedience. I am not perfect and I do mess up (sin), but thank goodness God judges the motives of our hearts. I know He knows my heart…and He tenderly convicts, forgives and brushes me off and picks me up when I stumble.
Seek Jesus today. He desires to GIVE YOU THE EYES TO NOT ONLY SEE, BUT TO EXPERIENCE THE MIRACULOUS, NOT THE MYSTERIOUS!
What ram has God placed in the thicket for you today?