Standing on the Promises

Have you ever thought about why God did and does some of the things that He does?

This is a thought we had daily over the past 1 1/2 years as our business was struggling.  We started the business to do good in our community, not to make a living for ourselves.  We  followed what we thought was a path that God had laid out for us.  When we first started, doors opened wide and flew open quickly.  Things happened so easily that we never doubted that our venture was blessed by God.

But as it turns out, three years later the business has failed...even though we thought we were being obedient to His will for us.  Does this mean that God has failed US?  Why did He choose to allow us to face these circumstances? 

Or, did He just answer prayer in a way we weren't expecting? 

My pastor says God is a risk taker. 

A risk taker?  I never thought of Him in that way. 

Think of the circumstances put before Mary and Joseph all those years ago.  Mary and Joseph both had free will but placed their faith in God and followed His will for their lives to bring Jesus into this world.  God put before them an adventure that they could have never dreamed before, and that adventure changed everything.

I think its the same way with us.  He gave us all free will.  He's taking the risk that if we let Him, He will provide an adventure for us unlike anything we've ever dreamed.  It doesn't mean that life will always be easy, or happy, or without grief, but if we believe God's promises, then what have we to fear?

God's promises:
To supply every need we have
That His grace is sufficient for us
That His children will not be overtaken with temptation, that an escape will be provided
That we have victory over death 
That all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully
That those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of their sins will be saved
And that His people will have eternal life

It's not easy.  I have to remind myself daily that 'God is good'.  Satan is always there trying to make me believe otherwise...and he wants me to believe that it is the things of this world that matter.

So, has God failed us?  I don't believe so.  I believe He took a risk on us that we would remain faithful, banking on His promises and not on our circumstances.  And, He has kept his word.

And no matter what we face in the future, He will be there to lead us into a new adventure.