What Are You Doing?

...and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" -Daniel 4:35


Billy quoted a line from the film Sergeant York in Sunday's sermon: "The Lord sure do work in mysterious ways."

Mysterious.

Perplexing.

Beyond my ken.

Over my head.

Not the trials, temptations or tribulations. Jesus said those would come and I am certain that I may not understand those this side of glory other than the general rule that these things grow our faith.

No, I refer to what some might call a lucky or fortuitous circumstance, but what  you or I would call "providential."

And we want to know what is going on, or I do.

Something astounding is happening or about to happen. That feeling; you know it?

It has to do with prayer, I think. A lot?

You know those things you've asked for. Not bad in themselves, but maybe not for you at this particular time. That's how I read God's "No" or what seems to be "No."

I am in the midst of a thing. I thought I had heard God's "no" and moved on.

But now something is going on. I won't be specific because I might be mistaken, but this has come up again after several months in the most amazing way.

So I'm saying, "God, what are you doing.?"

Not complaining, you understand, or questioning his wisdom, but out of sheer mystification.

Deuteronomy 29:29 talks about the "secret things" of God.

Maybe this is that.

I can be sure of Romans 8:28: "for my good."

And for his glory.

I can hardly wait.

Peace

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. -1 Timothy 1:2b


How do you pray for someone you don't know, of whose need you are not aware?

Who are these names on our prayer lists?

They are real people. I must remind myself that someone I know and love made this prayer request.

But what are their needs specifically?

To pray specifically seems needful. Not just, "Lord, bless so-and-so."

Which might be my tendency.

Peace.

This is something all humans desire?

Even those who seem to live for and live in the melodrama?

What about the lost?

"The way of peace they have not known."

They are at war with the God who made them, Paul says.

In each of his letters, Paul opens with a prayer, as it were, for God's peace upon his readers.

"My peace I leave with you," Jesus said.

Peace for you and for me, for all who turn to him in faith.

Peace in the midst of heartache, in times of temptation, in sickness, when there is turmoil all around.

Peace at the hour of death.

Peace that passes understanding.

Peace be unto you.