the heart of the Father

Tonight I just want to thank God for His faithfulness. It's been a rough few weeks as God has allowed some ministries I've been involved in and cared much about to end. He has brought new ones to the horizon, but as sure as His Spirit lives within me, it would be wrong to think I don't grieve when things He once called me to come to an end. But I always go back to the question, when is God not faithful?

The truth is God allows what God allows. There is no way around it. So I totally trust the Father when He gives, and when He takes away. In our pain, in our disappointment, in our failure we may not understand it. But when is God not faithful? When is He not the loving Father who acts on our behalf?

I have watched for the last two years as someone in my family goes through excruciating heartbreak and suffering. I have watched her cling to God, I have seen her fight with everything in her, literally from the floor of her house, to move into His plan, His will. And I have spoken the words over and over to her, when is God not faithful?

Some of us have little trials, like me, some of us have large, like her. When does God not see and when is He not faithful?

I wish I had something more profound to write, something more poetic. But there is nothing more than this. He is faithful. He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion. Phillippians 1:6.

So how can I not praise Him? In doing ministry, I think we can lose sight of the fact that we are dearly loved children of God the Father. That's a huge fact! The Father doesn't judge us. John 5:22. He doesn't care about our successes or failures. He wants our hearts, wholly. There is comfort in that, there is safety in that. Rest in that.

Offer to God thanksgiving,
And pay your vows to the Most High.
"Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall
glorify Me."

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God."
Psalm 50: 14-15,23