Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Goodwill.

Many of you are probably wondering, "Are they still at the Nam's?" The answer is yes.
We are still here.
The summer has turned to fall, and now to winter. I avoided writing this post for a while. In fact, I avoided it all fall because I wasn't ready to admit the lack of forward momentum towards our home-owning goal. It has been a humbling journey. God is faithful to soften my heart towards his future grace, especially in this process.
We often sing or say the phrase "peace on earth and goodwill toward men" during the holiday season. What does "goodwill" means? For me, the meaning has become more real to my faith during this home-journey. I have come to accept the good will, the sovereign will of God, otherwise known as future grace. Now I am rejoicing that there isn't any other better place for us. This is God's good will for us to be here.
I read in Piper's new book, Battling Unbelief where he says, "When you live by faith in future grace, you know that all the products of your living are the products of grace." He extensively quotes from Deuteronomy 8:11-17, where it warns against the pride of possessions:
Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth."
Right now we are feeding off His provision, the daily manna, by living here right now. We are learning that although it is a good desire to have our own home, the temptation to be discouraged about our future is only because our pride is wounded. I would love to take credit for our resources and the self-ability to meet our needs for a home. But God is protecting us and providing for us. We are trusting Him and his promises, not just his providences that are apparent on this journey.
We are cozying up with our friends and settling into our little sweet suite here for as long as God leads.
Rejoice with us as we say, "Yes, and I will rejoice for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored" (Philippian 1:18-20).

1 comment:

Dutch said...

Nomadic life.....daily manna.... water from the flinty rock on Quartz St! A prophetic Biblical picture here....remember that your Jordan River is coming, send out those spies! The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases!

Dutch