Late-Night Thoughts

I have abandoned Blogger for much of this year, for my thoughts and even some experiences have been too personal to share--things of which I prefer to restrict to the Lord and me on the pages of my journal or, at most, share with my sister. It is true that "great indeed is the mystery of godliness." Ten years ago, when I first knew and believed the gospel, I could not have conceived that the Lord would teach me and change me as He has. I am sure that ten years from now, if I live to that time, I will be able to look back on right now and think, "I knew so little." No matter how much I learn or grow, I always have so much further to go! For God is from everlasting to everlasting (Ps. 90:2), and His ways past finding out. As a friend of mine would say, the finite in the face of the Infinite--or perhaps more accurately, engulfed by the Infinite.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

A song's chorus I listened to earlier today captures well at least one ongoing experience of this year:

"Lord, I don't know where all this is going,

or how it all works out.

Lead me to peace that is past understanding,

a peace beyond all doubt."

He knows the end from the beginning. He sees how it all works out. I read a poem a few minutes ago, reminding me that God never leaves us, His children, as orphans, and Psalm 16 came to mind. It says, "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption" (v. 10; prophetic of Jesus). Just as God did not abandon His own Son, He will not abandon us, His adopted sons and daughters, either. "All who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God.... His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him... He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (vv. from Romans 8). We are sure in Jesus Christ because of Jesus Christ. In His hands is right where I want to be and right where I am. (So who needs to know the future or long for something different?) Anyway, Psalm 16 has ministered to me often in the past year and a half. It's been on my mind lately. You should read it.