Trials have been many lately, and how easily I could lose my perspective! The Lord is using a book I’m currently reading to encourage me to cling and to trust. To see purpose in the midst. It’s long, but if you could use a bit of hope and a view from above, I urge you to read this. Excerpt from “Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands” by Paul David Tripp GOD’S REBAR When builders lay a huge slab of concrete, they reinforce it with rebar, metal rods that run horizontally and vertically through the center, adding strength and stability. Similarly, the grand themes of God’s story run through every passage of Scripture, producing a stability in my life that I can find nowhere else. Only in the context of these themes will the pieces of my story make any sense. Let’s consider three grand themes of the story of redemption. Embedded in each is a practical comfort, as well as a clear call to wise and godly living. The first is the theme of God’s sovereignty… From the rise and fall of governments to tomorrow’s weather to the exact location of every human being, the universe is under God’s control. He has the power and authority to do exactly what pleases him, anywhere he chooses to do it. God’s sovereignty is not only about power and position, but also about a plan. Scripture clearly teaches that God has a plan for his world and the people in it. God is calling a people to himself, forming them into his likeness, and preparing them for an eternity with him. This is his overarching plan of the ages, revealed in history, present in current events and in the lives of everyone who has ever lived. At any moment in time, the right answer to the question, “What is God doing?” is, “Accomplishing his plan.” This theme is meant to be a great practical comfort to us. Look around – don’t things often seem to be out of control? Doesn’t it often look like the bad guys are winning” Haven’t you cried, “Why me?” or wept at the suffering of another? Don’t you sometimes feel lost in the crowd, the custodian of a small and relatively meaningless life? Don’t you daily face your powerlessness to even change yourself? In response to humanity’s deepest, heartfelt questions, God sweetly speaks of his sovereignty. “Take heart, I am in complete control. I am the definition of holiness and love. All of my ways are right and true, all of my decisions are best, and I will not rest until my plan has been completed.” There is comfort in your moment of greatest mystery. There is encouragement in your time of greatest confusion, and hope in your moment of greatest discouragement. Your world is not a world of constant chaos controlled by impersonal forces. Your destiny is not in your hands or in the hands of other people. You are held in the hands of your heavenly Father, who rules everything. You are a child of the King of Kings and you live under the shadow of his wing. You are part of his plan. That means that the exercise of his power and authority is for your blessing. You and I can rest in the middle of deep and personal mysteries. We can press on when little around us makes sense. There is reason in the mystery and order in the chaos, because behind it all stands the One in control of it all. What does this mean for each of us? It means peace when my brain is unable to put it all together. A Christian’s inner peace is never based on his ability to take the teachings of Scripture and figure it all out. Our peace always rests on the presence, power, and character of the Lord. Because he rules heaven and earth according to his wise plan, I need not live in anxiety and fear. God’s absolute sovereignty guarantees the fulfillment of each of his promises to every one of his children. This includes you! Because he rules, nothing you do in obedience to him is ever futile. Your life has meaning and purpose because you are included not only in the plan of the One who rules it all, but also in his family! “…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” Isaiah 43:1-3 “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me...” Psalm 138:8 “’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jer 29:11 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:6-9 Let us cling and trust and rejoice in Him this new year! Pam | 
