Letters from God and Hallelujah’s

Have you ever wished God would just write you a letter that lays out your life and tells you what to expect? The letter most of us want would be full of good things – a happy marriage, perfect kids, financial security, good health, etc. Thankfully, God in His wisdom chose not to give us the details.

Knowing myself, I would not have read it to the end. I would have stopped at financial challenges, divorce, or the part regarding children with minds of their own. These were not part of my plan. I would have read halfway through and said “No thanks, too hard, I didn’t sign up for that.”

Unlike us, Jesus did have the details. He knew exactly what He would suffer. He knew the pain He would endure. He did it anyway. He finished His letter. Hebrews 12:2 says “He is the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus did not turn and run. He talked to the Father. He asked if there was any way to avoid the cross and then said, “Not my will, but your will be done.”

The Promise Even in the Middle of a Storm

Jesus chose obedience. He made this choice for you and for me. Oh, the love of Jesus! We celebrate His resurrection this weekend and sing Hallelujah, What a Savior!

That letter from God, I so desperately wanted, seems puny now. If I had read only the first half, I would have missed the promise that God would be with me in the storm of my divorce. I would have missed the indescribable joy of my prodigal son returning and following Jesus with his whole heart. I would have missed my loving marriage to Rick of 26 years. Most importantly, I would have missed experiencing the profound faithfulness of God.

Whether you are in a raging storm or on a peaceful shore in your life’s letter, God is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. This is the promise of God’s word, the complete letter from Him to us. Hold tightly to His hand and He will lead you and be with you to the end.

Rejoice in His love! He has risen!

Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.

Scripture for Reflection

Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
I will not fail you or forsake you.
I will go with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Romans 8:38,39 (NASB)

Poem: The Weaver by BM Franklin

This poem, written by BM Franklin, is presented as reflection and further reading in coordination with my recent post, Letters from God and Hallelujahs.

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.
Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
BM Franklin ( 1882-1965)