From ancient times, names given to people had definite meaning. We find this in the Bible, not only in names given to people, but also in the names of God. Names given were their identity.
Consider the importance of naming from another angle. Each new day we meet new circumstances, people and relationships. How I view them and place identity on them depends on my perspective. Do I see them all through God’s perspective?…… placing His name over them, either in His permission or purpose. Or do I judge them as negative and give them identity as “bad or wrong”? The pure in heart seek to see God in all things and refuse to leave that place of rest and trust in Him. Jesus said ” Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Our words will always betray our heart condition, whether it be in, or out, of order.
Our feelings make good servants, but bad masters. They come and they go, rise and fall. Feelings are deceiving. Only what God says is true. My warrant is the Word of God. When I live my life according to God’s word, my foundation is sure and anchors me safely to Him through any storm of life. He is faithful, only what He says is true. As we trust Him through the trials of our faith, we prove that He is who He says He is, and His gold is produced in our lives for His glory.
Every day of our lives bristle with opportunity to prove Him and rejoice. “This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it”. I do not bow to my circumstances, but to the God of my circumstances. (Joshua 24: 14-16), “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve”…..seeing God in ALL things and placing His name over them is heart purity. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God”, Matthew 5:8. God is always greater than any situation. He permits many things, in His wisdom, that He could prevent, by His power.
Some circumstances are the consequence of my wrong choice, which I need to take the blame for and repent. Other circumstances are in the permitted will of God to do a work in me by His refining fire. In the economy of God there is no such thing as waste! Here I have opportunity to treasure my negative situation, as I allow the Holy Spirit to use it to develop another measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Jesus in me……God’s goal, for His glory, (Ephesians 4:13).
The abiding life of Christ in a Believer will always have a positive outlook on life in any circumstance. Consider the worst crime committed in the universe, the crucifixion of the Son of God. The devil thought he had played his trump card in crucifying Jesus, not knowing it was all part of God’s greater plan of redemption for mankind. It was not a negative, but the most positive event that God could ever allow. The worst thing that could ever happen to us could not be greater than the crucifixion. God always has another and greater plan.
In God there is nothing negative. Anything that He permits in my life has the potential to prove the warranty of God.
Most new products carry a guarantee/warranty. Consider how much more when God gives a warranty, is it to be relied on. My warrant is the Word of God. Isaiah 55:11 declares “So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”.
Anticipation can be very pleasant on the positive, but on the negative it is apprehension. Apprehension is fear and “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”, 2 Timothy 1:7. A sound mind never has negative anticipation. Today and all our tomorrows are safely held in the Master’s hands.
Take stock: Trouble is not “in trouble”, it is in a heart attitude to trouble. Let us place with confidence the words of our beloved Saviour over every situation, as He declares, “Let not your heart be troubled”, John 14:1. Herein lies our place of rest where we find, and enjoy, His peace, as our hearts become His dwelling place, the house of God. Let not your heart be troubled!
