Devotional Thought of the Day:

¹  While I was still in prison in the courtyard, the LORD’S message came to me again. ²  The LORD, who made the earth, who formed it and set it in place, spoke to me. He whose name is the LORD said, ³  “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about. ⁴  I, the LORD, the God of Israel, say that the houses of Jerusalem and the royal palace of Judah will be torn down as a result of the siege and the attack. ⁵  Some will fight against the Babylonians, who will fill the houses with the corpses of those whom I am going to strike down in my anger and fury. I have turned away from this city because of the evil things that its people have done. ⁶  But I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security. ⁷  I will make Judah and Israel prosperous, and I will rebuild them as they were before. ⁸  I will purify them from the sins that they have committed against me, and I will forgive their sins and their rebellion. ⁹  Jerusalem will be a source of joy, honor, and pride to me; and every nation in the world will fear and tremble when they hear about the good things that I do for the people of Jerusalem and about the prosperity that I bring to the city.” Jeremiah 33:1-9 (TEV) 

924 You should try to have the holy shamelessness of a child who knows that his Father God always sends him what is best. That is why even when the apparently most necessary things are lacking he doesn’t worry; and with complete serenity he says: I still have the Holy Spirit and he remains with me.  (1)

There are days where I wished that God told us of the wondering and marvelous things that I know nothing about.

And then there are times I am so struggling with what He’s revealed… that I am more than willing to let the rest simply come about – as I naively and trusting in God, walk through life.

Sme of these wonderful and marvelous things take us by shock, because we do not see the big picture. like in the verses that follow in verse 4.  Hard to see the suffering and shock happen, as God strips the people of God of everything that separates them from Him.  It seems cruel, vicious, even mad for God to use Babylon’s destructive power to bear on His own people.  It can be easy to dwell on those times to be so overwhelmed that we don’t look to the promise, and trust in God’s faithfulness.  Maybe its the pain of losing a favorite sin, or some long held resentment,

But the promise is there – God will purify, God will cleanse and heal. God will restore the joy of His people in such a way it will attract people from all over the place to come and witness the restoration, and join in the praises.

Trusting in this way leads to the child like faith that Josemaria Escriva talks about – a faith that looks beyond what is necessary, a trust in God that finds one living in serenity, in incomparable peace. for you realize you are living in Christ, and the Holy Spirit dwells in you – giving you a life that goes beyond what is necessary – giving you a life with God.

So when God throws you a curve ball…and you find youself playing basketball..on ice…in a scuba gear…before 250,000 people…

Relax… He got it all under control..

And it is wonderful and marvelous – for the Lord is with you!

(1)  Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 3257-3260). Scepter PublisThhers. Kindle Edition.