“Our brokenness can be a container for God’s glory” – Ann Voskamp
Have you ever wondered why?
Have you grown disheartened in the struggle, in the worry, in the anxiety of life not being the way you thought it would be? Perhaps you’re scared as you walk through a trial you never expected?
I know I have. Most likely you have either been through a trial, are currently in one, or heading there soon. But rather than focusing solely on the struggles, I want to turn to the Word for some answers.
In Exodus 14 we meet the Israelites after they have left Egypt and are standing on the shores of the Red Sea. The Egyptians are in pursuit, and the people begin to panic. Can you blame them? Hemmed in by water, and pursued by an army ready to slaughter them, I would have been crying out too.
But then the Lord answers.
The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” –Exodus 14: 15-18
Do you see what the Lord declares? He shall get glory and the Egyptians will know that He is the Lord. In the midst of the impossible the Lord moves so that others will know He is the great I AM.
And His strategy works. How do we know this?
Turn with me to Joshua 2 where we meet the prostitute Rahab who humbles herself to the Israelite spies and asks for rescue. Why? Because she knows that the Lord is the only thing that can save her and her family.
Before the men lay down, [Rahab] came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. – Joshua 2:8-11
Again, we see that in the midst of trial and impossibility the Lord steps in and rescues so that His glory and His name will be known to the nations. He longs for us to know Him, and to come to Him.
All throughout the Scriptures we see those faithful to the Lord clinging to Him in the moments when life seems as though it can’t get any worse. We see the Lord’s name declared and those who believe respond.
When I think on these things, I think of Hebrews 11 where the chapter of the faithful is outlined. Over and over again, the Word says “by faith … by faith … by faith … ” and on it goes listing those who walked in faith. You can click here to read those names, but as you do, pause to think about the stories connected with each name. Many of them were in trials and situations where moving forward was impossible … BUT GOD.
See, in the trial, in the waiting, in the hurt, we have to be reminded just Who it is we are crying out to. The Great I AM.
Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God.”
Do you believe that today? And if so, do you understand His promises—that He will deliver and glorify His name through you? Do you stand in humble wonder that He would even use us as vessels for His glory? He uses us so that others may come to know Him, and we get the chance to praise His mighty, righteous, holy name.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:3
When faced with trials—roadblocks that seem impossible—remember Who it is that walks with you. He is the Waymaker, and He weaves a tapestry too intricate for our mortal minds to comprehend.
Now, I do not know what you are facing. It might be pain that is excruciating to the point of death, but I do know one thing. I know the Word is true and that we serve a God who sees, who hears, and who knows. His glory will be known throughout the earth by His mighty majestic, incomprehensible plan.
And how do I know this? Well, recently I was in prayer asking the Lord if He truly cared, listened and heard me. I was crying out to Him.
The very next day, in walked a friend who gave me a verse that the Lord wanted her to tell me. Chills ran down my spine as the very things I had been questioning were answered in this verse.
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7
So no, I don’t know what you are walking through—what struggle you are facing. But can I remind you of the One we serve? And can I tell you that even when it all seems impossible, and when He seems distant; He is near, and He hears you?
Lean back, let go, and surrender to whatever is His will. For His plans are greater than we can comprehend, and that silent soul surrender will weave a tapestry unto His glory.
Hang in there my friend and carry on.
