He does all things well

In my devotions yesterday I was struck with a thought-provoking revelation.

Mark 7:37 - And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Can I really say, "He has done all things well."? In my own life and heart, has this proven true?

I've come to the point in life where I've seen the Lord work in miraculous and mysterious ways way too often to not believe this truth. I've not only watched others who come before me and walk beside me, but I look at my own experiences and breathe in deep the goodness of the Lord. Sometimes I see the good right away. Sometimes it takes a while. And sometimes I never see the end result as good with my carnal eyes- when something never quite makes sense. And in those times I rest upon the goodness and mercy of Jesus and use the eyes of my heart to say, "He has done all things well."

I have a few handmade chalkboards in my kitchen (the place I spend 99% of my life). I change them up from time to time with different quotes or Bible verses. But one chalkboard has remained the same. Ever since I wrote it I just can't bring myself to erase it. 

"His plans for us are good."

I wrote that during a difficult time and have seen it come true in that particular situation. When my carnal eyes could not see the truth in that statement, the eyes of my heart held my hand and guided me through the wilderness of pain. 

In tears, in pain, in sadness, in confusion, in mourning, in disillusionment. He does all things well. 

In joy, in happiness, in bliss, in pure and simple gratitude. He does all things well. 

In mystery and in the unknown, in the unsaid and the undone. He does all things well. 

It has often been hard for children of God to see His goodness in times of trial and overwhelming suffering. God has often asked His people:

-"Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14

- "Has the Lord's arm been shortened?" - Numbers 11:23

- "Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?" - Isaiah 50:2

- "Or have I no power to deliver?" -Isaiah 50:2

- "Is the Spirit of the Lord restricted?" - Micah 2:7

Then today, Mark 8:34-35 spoke to me so deeply (more than any other time I've read it) in my devotions. I've been so moved seeing my daughter eagerly memorize scripture in her homeschool lessons and AWANA book lately. I felt challenged to start memorizing scripture again. I used to memorize verses and chapters in junior high, high school, and Bible college. Those verses are forever imprinted in my soul and come to the surface when my situations cry out for wisdom. Why not continue memorizing scripture as it comes to new light as an adult? 

I was convicted immediately to not go on to the next chapter, but to memorize this passage instead. To remind myself what my life is about. The hope of my calling. The joy of my salvation.

Mark 8:34-35 - "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it., but whoever desires to lose his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."

Step 1. He has done all things well.

Step 2. Deny myself and follow Him.

Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the those things which are revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." I may never know this side of heaven "why" for some things. You do, and that's all I need to know. The answers belong to You and You are the safest place in this world. The mysteries I am so desperately longing to understand rest in good hands. So I will stand upon this promise and remember that the things which are revealed are Your Word, Your presence, Your love. You have revealed Yourself to us and it is with that knowledge we live our lives. Will I chose to follow you and deny myself, or will I chose to follow my own way and serve myself? I chose you Jesus! I chose You.

You have done all things well, Lord.

"What good is having someone who can walk on water if you don't

   follow in his footsteps?" - Author Unknown

(Some thoughts from this blog were taken from this page.)