As Habakkuk begins his prayer to God, he is heavily burdened by all the strife, contention, violence, and self-exalting behaviors within his nation. Therefore, He cries out to God for allowing such injustice and lawlessness; while the remnant of true believers and worshipers of God are being pushed around by the “wicked.” He asks God: “Why aren’t you doing something?”  (my paraphrase of Habakkuk 1:2-4).

God replies; “Wait and see as I am about to do something you will not believe, unless you see it with your own eyes. I am strengthening a very evil nation who will take captive the nation of Judah” ( my paraphrase of Habakkuk 1: 5-9)

Don’t believe me?  Read:

HABAKKUK 1:5-9 (TLB)

Continue reading ONE MAN’S BURDENED PRAYER AND AN UNEXPECTED ANSWER FROM GOD →

We look around us at the violence raging in the world and ask God why?  Why have you not rained down your judgement upon all these evil people? For you are the Almighty, Sovereign God; then, why would you allow so much evil among your own people to occur: the hypocrisy, lies, and immorality?  Furthermore God, why do you allow your people to suffer underneath the oppression of evil around the globe?  People suffering from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, cancer, chronic illness, addictions, and personal crisis.  Every day we, see the effects of sin upon the lives of all: those who stand upon your gospel gift of grace and those who do not.  Then where is the answer we seek?  Why God, does such injustice and violence reign upon this planet called earth?  When will you come down?

We ask so many questions and there are those moments our faith trembles within.  How often have I even narrowed those questions to just my life?  Those moments when my own faith trembles or I am pleading, seeking God’s will while my feet still stumble or my words speak despair into the lives of others instead of light and hope. How does one find hope, joy, love and strength in such a world?

Ah, yes; my hope rests in God’s immutable, unchanging face of love and His Mighty Sovereign Hand of Perfect Righteousness and Justice!  No matter how dark the road may appear and regardless of how devastating the storm; God IS the great I am and He is working all things together for my good and for the good of all who place their faith in Him.  This I have learned over a lifetime-the foundation upon which I stand, arising each morning with steadfast joy.

INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN

Continue reading Why God Does Injustice and Violence Reign? →

Paul, sitting in a dark dungeon cell, wrote a letter to his son in Christ to encourage and strengthen him in the faith.  He had no children; yet, he loved Timothy as though he were his own.  What could he say to this young preacher to convey the heart and soul of the gospel.  How could Paul pour out his heart and love for Christ?  A love that would keep him firmly grounded, even when he knew soon he would be executed.  Sitting there in a cold, damp dungeon cell with little light: chains pulling at his ankles; how does one encourage a beloved son to keep up the good fight, keep on spreading the gospel, regardless of the cost.  Paul wrote: If we believe not; yet, He (God) abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

GOD IS FAITHFUL, What could it mean?

Continue reading God is Faithful: Even in a Dungeon →

Whenever we attempt to compartmentalize God’s Glory by placing one aspect higher than another; we risk losing the truth of God.  All too often, when viewing the diverse excellencies of God’s justice in contrast with His mercy; Christians see this as a hard to rationalize dichotomy. Particularly, in our modern society and church; there is a social drive toward only speaking of God’s love and never His wrath against sin. The dichotomy between God’s Mercy and Justice is not itself a false theology; because, God’s Glory shines radiantly from His just and righteous nature, as much as from His merciful grace toward sinful man. However, a false theology develops when either His Mercy or His Justice is espoused as denying the other.

Yet, here in modern Western culture, we see too many churches falling head first into the theological trap of presenting God’s Love and mercy to the exclusion of His justice. It is as if His justice is something to be left unspoken of for fear that people will not come. Many Christians speak of God’s mercy and love; while ignoring His righteousness, justice and hatred toward sin. When the church focuses only on God’s loving mercy to the exclusion of His justice; it risks falling headlong into a counterfeit theology, where the true God becomes unrecognizable.  Balancing and viewing God’s justice and mercy as equally beautiful aspects of His Glory, is paramount to living a life reflecting His Glory and is key to the Church presenting the gospel of Christ to a world in need of a Savior.

UNDERSTANDING GRACE THROUGH THE EYES OF JUSTICE

Continue reading God’s Glory Revealed in Justice and Mercy →

Throughout this series, I have laid out the case step by step concerning three foundations on which to build your faith and your life upon. The series began in March with Trusting God When You Don’t Understand How? It has throughout these months laid out the 3 foundations of truth needed to find Abiding Steadfast Joy in life whatever the circumstance you find yourself in. Now, we come to the Therefore, Because of all this: what do I do next? How do I write God’s Truth on my heart; not, just my brain.

Beyond just knowing these truths in your mind; they must be indelibly written upon your heart.  Because God knows it is imperative that we learn these truths; our life’s journey often takes us through dark and treacherous valleys.  It is in the depth of those valleys, God teaches us the truth of His Glory, His Sovereignty and His love toward us. Patiently preparing and equipping us with His truth, God guides us each step of the way; because, He knows that we can only find true joy, peace, and hope in a close and intimate relationship with Him.

Overcoming Life’s Trials with God’s Truth

Whatever trials, sorrows or temptations you face in this life; I can assure you of this: knowing these three foundations of truth will hold your heart steady, filling you with hope, joy, peace, and strength to live victoriously. Knowing these three truths; building upon them as your foundation gives you the power to remain fearless, steadfast, and joy filled no matter what storms come your way in this life.

First, know your place in this world; because, faith is knowing God IS (Supreme Creator, Sovereign Lord, the Being without which nothing else exists) and He rewards those who diligent seek Him. Second, you must realize your purpose in this world. God created you desiring to shower upon you His love, to fill you with His Joy, and to bestow upon you part of His Glory (though undeserving you may be).  Thirdly, you must know your position in Christ Jesus; held firm by the power of His resurrection; endowing you with the power to live victoriously.

WISDOM WRITTEN ON YOUR HEART

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:1-6)

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So, shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble (Proverbs 3:19-23)

SOLID ROCK FOUNDATIONS of LIFE

Truth must make its way from my mind into the depth of my heart; before, it becomes a foundation strong, steady, and unshifting.

For a simple path of loose dirt or sand to become formed into solid rock, it undergoes great stress and then pressure.  The waves crash against the shore, washing; changing and transforming sand and debris into what is called a sedimentary rock.  Because of extreme pressure, rock is formed.  Igneous rocks form by undergoing extreme heating, melting and then, cooling.  Because of the extreme stress they endure, they become firm, unmovable.  Diamond formation occurs in extreme temperatures, extreme pressure over millions of years.  Therefore, often, it is through our trials, sorrows, temptations and pains; we discover the solid foundations of knowing the truth of our place in the universe, our purpose, and our position in Christ Jesus

Living a life filled with peace, joy, hope, and fearless faith; comes from having lived through the harsh trials and learning to lean into an Almighty God.  He is the truth, the way and the life.  He is joy overflowing. I know this truth; because, through many trials; God wrote these truths indelibly into my heart.  My journey has not been easy; however, I would walk every step of it again, knowing God’s plan for me has always been for my good, His pleasure and my pleasure to be found in Him.

quote from Jonathan Edwards.

“Men have a great deal of pleasure in human knowledge, in studies of natural things; but this is nothing to that joy which arises from divine light shining into the soul. This spiritual light is the dawning of the light of glory in the heart. There is nothing so powerful as this to support persons in affliction, and to give the mind peace and brightness in this stormy and dark world.

This knowledge will wean from the world, and raise the inclination to heavenly things. It will turn the heart to God as the fountain of good, and to choose him for the only portion. This light, and this only, will bring the soul to a saving close with Christ. It conforms the heart to the gospel, mortifies its enmity and opposition against the scheme of salvation therein revealed: it causes the heart to embrace the joyful tidings, and entirely to adhere to, and acquiesce in the revelation of Christ as our Savior.” ―

Jonathan Edwards (A Divine and Supernatural LIGHT, immediately imparted to the Soul by the SPIRIT of GOD, shown to be both a Scriptural, and Rational Doctrine- in a Sermon)

Concluding Thoughts of Truth

And so, dear pilgrim; do not despair.  Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?  It all begins there! For if you do not know the sweetness of His presence, His grace; then, there is reason for despair.  I cannot imagine my life without Him.  Yet, if you know Him; He will guide you and lead you to green meadows beside the still waters.  Perhaps, for me; that journey has been through many mountainous terrains and raging oceanic storms; yet, it brought me to this place of abiding, steadfast joy.  Glimpses of God’s Glory have shone before me; leading me every step of the way. As I look back, I thank God for His wondrous Grace, Love and Mercy toward me which has brought me to this place of Abiding, Steadfast Joy: never again to be bound in a life of desperation.

So, how do we write God’s Truth on our hearts?  We don’t. He does; if only we know Him, seek Him, and allow Him.  So, dear one, do you know Him?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

Concluding Tweets

[bctt tweet=”Abiding, Steadfast Joy in God: never again to be bound in a life of desperation.” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?  Joy begins there![/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Glimpses of God’s Glory have shone before me; leading me every step of the way” username=”effiedarlene”]

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

If you want to know more about  books I have written:  You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The inscription I added Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash