Grains of Sand

Google Images " The Lord will do what is good in his sight " —2 Chronicles 19:13, NIV. I've just begun reading Chip Ingram's book, God: As He Longs For You To See Him . Over the weekend I worked through the chapter on the sovereignty of God and was challenged once more on my own thinking about just how much control God has over my life, over the lives of others, and over the universe. As I read the story for Joab and Abishai this morning I was reminded of what I had just finished reading in Ingram's book. Joab and Abishai are David's generals. They are faced with two armies: that of the Ammonites and that of the Arameans. They decide to split their forces, each one waging battle against one of the opposing forces. If Joab needs help, Abishai will come to his rescue, or vice versa. Joab encourages Abishai to be strong and brave, and remember Who he is fighting for. Then he adds: " The Lord will do what is good in his sight ." It's an...

Visions of fame and fortune danced in my head. Well, maybe not fame and fortune, but certainly a cross was not what I pictured this morning when I read: " Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will me. My Father will honor the one who serves me " —John 12:26. By itself, the whole experience sounds quite palatable. I serve God, I seek to live at the center of His will. He will honor me for my service. I can expect His "well done" but He always seems to come up with other fringe benefits to obedience. Sounds good to me. Then I read the context of the verse (23-28). Jesus is talking about the cross, about His death, about the ultimate submission of everything to God, even life itself. The Lord then asks the question: " …what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name! " —John 12:27-28. The most amazing thing happens at that moment. A voice fr...