Trusting, Dedicating, and Testifying

 I can't even begin to tell of all the difficult things we've been through as a family, that I've been through on my own, without testifying of how God moved in each situation.  Yes, I've done things I'm not proud of... and in the middle of the fray, I struggled, sometimes even struggling to see what God was doing.  But God's mercy and grace was still evident, and He brought comfort through the painful things.  The thing is, we see His glory after He passes, though we want to see Him in the middle of the situation (Exodus 33:18-23).  Moses' request to see God, met by (paraphrased) "you will know I have been there when my glory has passed, for no one may see me and live," is so true to me: I know it well.  I just have to hold on and keep believing and walking faithfully, trusting He is there.  Still, every mountain that looms before me can intimidate me.  I must return to God and ask Him for the strength to get up, putting on the truth of His Word, and offering my "yes" to walk.  Ephesians 6:10-18 (the armor of God), in every situation, I must realign with God's ways, and submit to Him for the strength.

I am reminded I must do this again, because in this family, in this life, we do difficult things, but we don't do them alone.  It is a promise God made to us, it is a promise Chris and I made to each other, and it is a promise we made to our kids.

As we prepare to sell our old house, I am reminded, that when we have been faithful with little, He will give us more.  (Luke 16:10, Matthew 25:14-30)  He gave us more in this beautiful new house.  I thought the provision for the more was in keeping the old house and renting it out.  We put a lot of work into it, and in my eyes it was a mini-mansion.  Chris, faithful in prayer and research, has crunched the numbers over and over, and he has come to the conclusion that we must sell it.  Looking at the numbers, I see it.  We were faithful with the little we had, and stewarded it to be worth more, at a time when inflation and interest rates makes it near impossible for many to consider buying a new house.  We're holding on to the robes of the Lord through this, as we say good bye to what is only a physical resemblance of the many memories we have of being a family who does difficult things together, seeking to glorify God.

As I read this morning, 1 Kings 8:10 and following, and Exodus 40:34-38, I am reminded, we did move, and we dedicated our new house to the Lord, with worship and testimony, and now it is time to fully live in the new land.  We already have done difficult things in this new land, and we will continue to, always seeking the Lord, and together. 

This is my prayer and my song: 

Psalm 71   "In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.... For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth....  I will ever praise you... My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long... I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measures.  I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord, I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.  Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.  

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.   Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done great things.  Who, O God, is like You?  Though You have made me (us) see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore (our) life again; from the depths of the earth You will again bring me (and my family) up.  You will increase (our) honor and comfort (us) once again.  I will praise you with (all I have) for Your faithfulness, O my God; (we) will sing praise to You... (our) lips will shout for joy when (we) sing praise to you-- I whom you have redeemed (and my family).  My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long..."

I will trust and I will testify of the glory of God.