God hedges in His own that He may preserve[protect] them, but oftentimes they only see the wrong side of the hedge, and so misunderstand His dealings. It was so with Job (Job 3:23). Ah, but Satan knew the value of that hedge! See his testimony in chapter 1:10. Through the leaves of every trial there are chinks of light to shine through. Thorns do not prick you unless you lean against them, and not one touches without His knowledge.
The words that hurt you, the letter which gave you pain, the cruel wound of your dearest friend, shortness of money--are all known to Him, who sympathizes as none else can and watches to see, if, through all, you will dare to trust Him wholly.
Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Streams in the Desert
Something that I'm learning a lot about lately is waiting on God's timing. I guess you never stop learning about that. Just about the time I feel like I'm OK with waiting on God's timing instead of my own, something bigger and more challenging comes along.
I have, however, finally come to accept that God's timing is better than my own. I learned that through waiting for Seth. I thought I met this guy who was perfect last fall, but it turns out he was the worst possible guy for me. I'll never forget my mom and dad telling me that God's plan was better than mine and that His timing would be perfect. They talked me through waiting patiently again, and along came Seth right when I needed him.
It's funny to think about, because for years I never thought I'd find the right guy, or that he'd come along at a point in my life when I wouldn't be ready for him and that I'd miss him. When finding Seth finally happened I didn't even have time to think about how perfect it was until waaay after. Now I see just how perfect the timing was and just how wonderfully perfect Seth is for me. God's pretty amazing, but He's really hard to trust wholly sometimes.
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I'm waiting now for another very stressful event to happen. I'm waiting on God to give Seth a good job. The economy stinks and jobs aren't easy to find now-a-days. Even people with good degrees are having a hard time finding jobs. I'm not blaming it all on the economy, however, because just like the quote above - God hedges in His own so that He might protect them.
Protect them from what? you might say. ...Well... I don't know. It could be anything.
It could be that it's hard to find a job right now because the job you applied for has a really difficult boss and God knows that the relationship between employee and employer might not be the best fit for you.
Maybe you're not in a relationship right now because the person you're really into has a really big, bad secret that could ruin your life later on down the road! Maybe the relationship isn't there because the right person is in California right now. Maybe. I don't know. But he's protecting you, and He's holding you in his arms in the meantime.
You need a new car RIGHT NOW but the bank won't approve the loans for the car you're wanting. MAYBE, it's simply because God has a better car waiting for you in a month, or even a few weeks. He might just be protecting you from making a purchase you'll regret later.
Seth and I were just talking about how God can protect you physically and emotionally not only for your own safety and well being, but also for HIS glorification. We were talking about how we can "get out of line" temporarily, and that God "saves our place," like a friend, when we get out to go do something else (bathroom, concession stand, etc..) And when we're ready to get back in line, God has our place saved for us. This is what Seth said to me:
There were times i knew he protected me
When that guy wrecked my truck
We rolled over like 4 times
Going at leaast 70 on rt 33
I called my dad about it 2 days later
I told him i thought i was going to die while we were rolling
I think God protected me that day
Because i hadnt got back in line
And i hadnt finished what he wants me to do with my life yet
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So don't "view the wrong side of the hedge." Take a minute to look and see how God has blessed you, and thank Him for protecting you in advance. "Trust Him wholly" with your life and He'll keep you in His arms while he protects you.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous fall.
Isaiah 40:18-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
