I woke up about 9:36 this morning- to some that may be sleeping in, to me that's an early morning. At David's Tent, I'm a part of the night watch. Last night specifically, I was at the tent from 9pm-3 am. So when you go to bed about 4:30 am, 9:36 am is not an hour I anticipated seeing when I closed my eyes about 5 hours ago. Oh but I woke up so refreshed with thankfulness flooding my heart and the memory of a very good dream!
Yesterday, I actually got 5 hours of sleep as well but I didn't prioritize Jesus whatsoever when I woke up. Today, the moment I woke up I knew I needed Him, I knew I needed to write and I believed there was incredible purpose in waking up early because there is purpose in everything. I'm convinced.
Last night I drove my team to our shift at David's Tent. About 3:10 am, we started to head home. A cop pulled someone over on the ramp to enter the freeway, and even though my friends said we could still enter the onramp, I really though that we couldn't and I started to take the path to the right. It was too late to switch to the onramp once I realized I could enter the freeway, and then was lead to a street I didn't know. Three minutes and a GPS later, I find a different onramp to get on the highway and start driving home. When we exited the freeway, cars were slowly coming to a hault. There were three cars that got in a wreck- there was significant damage to the cars, angry hearts, and people were injured. There was glass and debri spread throughout the off ramp. Instantly God told me "this is why you missed the onramp and took the detour." My friend Danny, being as kind as he is, ran out to ask those involved if they were okay. He soon comes to realize we would have been exiting the interstate about the exact time of this wreck. The car who caused the collision had a driver who was drunk and high. I don't believe we would have been injured (I was driving a large maroon 15-passenger van) but oh my goodness do I feel the protection of the Lord all around me and my loved ones!!
Did I understand why I missed the onramp at the start of my journey home? Not at all. In fact, I totally felt foolish for missing the onramp and felt bad for prolonging our trip home since we all were tired. But little did I know what God saw down the line and how He was using a moment where I missed an onramp to keep my team and I safe.
I was reading a bit of Job last night, and what particularly spoke to me was Job 38-39 when God Himself speaks. I'm not sure if you know the story of Job. He's a man who was completely faithful to God, and satan was convinced it was because God had a hedge of protection around Job and God truly had blessed Job. Satan was convinced Job would curse God if this was no longer the case. God knew Job would not curse Him. But He allowed satan to test Job's character, touching everything in Job's life except taking Job's own life. In the same moment Job lost his property AND his children.
This is how Job responded:
"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." (Job 1:20-22)
Satan then was convinced that Job surely would curse God if his "bone and flesh" were touched. So God allowed satan to furthermore test Job's character, but not take his life. Job was struck with severe boils ALL over his body, from the top of his head down to his feet. He sat in the ashes and scratched the boils with a potsherd. His wife told him to let go of his integrity, curse God and die. Straight up that is what she told him.
This is how Job responded:
"'You speak as one of the foollish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." (Job 2:10)
Oh my goodness, I want to be this faithful and steadfast, this devoted to God. That satan could literally attack me in EVERYTHING and I would bless the Lord my God. That the people around me could call me a fool, accuse me and tell me I'm deserving of this trial, and I would not just choose to keep my integrity, but when God would ask me to pray over them- I wouldn't hesitate to pray! Job's character was deeply rooted in the Lord.
Job 38-39 is God's response to Job and to his three friends. Please take the time to read Job 38-39, if not this whole book. God's knowledge and wisdom are infinite and it is incredible to read these chapters and catch a small glimpse into who our God is and how He truly has no one who comes close to Him! He asks Job questions such as "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" "Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depth?" "Where is the way to the dwelling of light?" "Has the rain a father?" "Who provides food for the raven, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?" "Who set the wild donkey free?"
There is a lot that God does, and "a lot" is completely an understatement! God literally SUSTAINS ALL LIFE. In spite of all that He does, He still knows you completely and never does He miss one thing about you!
It was no accident when I missed the onramp to the freeway. We're human and we "make mistakes" but some of these mistakes aren't mistakes, but it's divine intervention from God.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." The good, the bad, and everything in between- God works ALL THINGS out for our good. Because that's who our God is, He is good and faithful!
I should mention that everything Job lost was fully restored, and not just fully but twice as much was restored! "And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before." (Job 42:10) Job's friends weren't entirely understanding of Job's situation, but Job prayed over them nonetheless because he was a man with immense character!
So the next time something doesn't go as planned, the next time you are treated in a way you do not deserve, the next time you fall down, respond with thankfulness to God and praise Him for who He is! God may not reveal why things panned out the way they did, but no that He isn't a God of "accidents" or "chance" or "karma", He's a God who is real, who is intentional, and who is purposeful in everything that He does! God is faithful and true, and He is with and for you!
Praise and thanksgiving are some of the strongest weapons- love being one of the weapons that I believe is stronger. That's for another post though. :) When you respond with praise and thankfulness, you close the door to the enemy taking ground in your heart and mind. He doesn't want you to respond with either, and so when you do his grip lessens more and more. He has no place in your life, but when offense, bitterness, anger, frustration, etc. take root in your heart, he appears to be a bit greater. God inhabits the praises of His people. When you give thanks and praise Him in all circumstances, you are welcoming God into your life in increased measure!
I don't know about you, but I want to be someone who fully delights in the Lord, and whose view of God is not shaken by circumstance whatsoever. I want to be someone whom offense can not even touch because I am so secure in the love of God and in His nature and character. Oh for my character to be just a fraction of my Heavenly Father's character!
So do not be discouraged by what circumstances look like in your life. Don't be discouraged when you "get it wrong". Learn to trust God completely! Respond with praise. Allow the Lord to increase your vision, and to increase the love and grace within your heart and soul. Stay steadfast and persevere. Blessings to you all!