I began this morning in the company of Oswald Chambers and the books of Peter and James. Do not think it strange (see 1 Peter 4:12-13) that I might still be considering the ‘joy’ of the current circumstances of my life (see James 1:2). Or that I’d turn the page to today’s devotional and find the the heading: The Undetected Sacredness of Circumstances.
“The circumstances of a saint’s life are ordained by God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by his providence brings you into circumstances that you cannot understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands.” Also: “All your circumstances are in the hand of God, therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in.”
Well, that certainly speaks to the heart of the issue in the last blog I wrote, doesn’t it? And it mentions too, that other important word, providence, that I’ve been leaning on, relying on, and trusting in (as the Amplified Bible always puts it) ever since I began to consider this trip to Texas. The most interesting part this morning though, was the conclusion to this devotional, which was a sermon unto itself. That brought everything back to my reason for being where I am in the first place: I’m to pray for the people God has placed in my life.
“Your part in intercessory prayer is . . . to utilize the common-sense circumstances God puts you in, and the common-sense people He puts you amongst by His providence, to bring them before God’s throne and give the Spirit in you a chance to intercede for them. In this way God is going to sweep the whole world with His saints.”
Well, that’s a pretty well defined goal, isn’t it? And knowing my love of dictionaries and definitions, you have to know that I enjoyed this ‘well defined’ sermon that came to me in the ‘extra’ hour I had before I made it church! I don’t usually like losing daylight savings time in the fall because it means winter is on the way, but this morning it hasn’t been so bad.
I hope it’s gone as well for you.