Praise God - Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

by Pastor Bill Maxon

God is always at work around us working wonders. But, in the midst of all of the wonders that God is performing, I have to admit that lately I have not always been joyful. I have had a little trouble seeing the wonder.

I have to admit it, because the Bible calls us to confess our faults one to another – because in our admission, Jesus heals (see James 5:16). The healing is not only for the one who speaks, but also for the one who listens. Furthermore, the Bible encourages us to constantly talk of God’s faithfulness. In sharing the Holy Spirit supplies hope, power and direction for life. So in obedience I share this recent encounter, hoping that in it, you will be blessed and encouraged, and knowing that by it, healing, peace and comfort are promised to follow.

I recently woke in the middle of the night angry about Pastor Jason’s leaving. How could God do this to me? This certainly was not what I was expecting two years ago when I agreed to become the Executive Pastor. Then, Jesus gently reminded me that I was following Him. My efforts on Jason’s behalf were being done because Jesus asked me to do them. I was serving Jesus –not Jason. The object of my service was so that God could bless His church in any way that He pleased – so that He could apply His Gospel when, where and how He wanted. My service was for Jesus, for the Father and with and through the power of His Holy Spirit.

In my anger, I had lost focus. I was focusing on my pastor rather than on the One that I was truly serving. My service with and to Pastor Jason has been because I love Jesus - I like Jason alright too! If God wants to change my circumstances and direction – that is His prerogative and is truly best. Jason must follow obediently and I can trust the changes that God is making. The focus is not Jason – The focus is Jesus. God gently helped me to refocus on Him, bringing to my recollection his lavish provision for me over and over throughout my life.

This morning I sat at my piano (I haven’t sat at the piano in weeks) and there on the music stand were two wonderful blessings. I started to play Blessed Assurance. I have played it a thousand times – I have sung it at least a hundred – and there through the third verse – Jesus captured my attention with this truth:

Perfect submission all is at rest

I in my Savior am Happy and blessed

Watching and waiting – looking above

Filled with His goodness – Lost in His love

OH MY YES!!! YES LORD!! It is in perfect submission to You Lord that I have found deep joy in the past. It is in perfect submission to you that I have found such joy through my entire life – You have not changed. It has been in my submission to You that I have experienced great joy - in all my seasons. And that is where my joy will be for every moment in the days ahead – in full submission to You! Oh thank you for leading me to the piano this morning. Thank you for leading me to this wonderful verse that reminds me to get my focus back on the true source of my joy and strength – the true source of my hope and strength. 

Then there is more; I see on the next page a wonderful little chorus that I have come to cherish over the years. It is a prayer that God provided.

I Cast all of my cares upon you

I lay all of my burdens down at your feet

And any time, I don’t know what to do

I cast all of my cares upon you

To God I speak, “Lord this morning you even provided the prayer that would give words to what my heart was experiencing - words to my prayer of submission. YOU PROVIDED THE PRAYER LORD – HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!”

And then if that is not enough, I walk in to the next room, ready to hit the treadmill and I hear the words of two songs that I have never heard before. They captured my attention, reminding me that the Lord is present and has always been. Again He gave me words to express the awakenings in my heart.

Never Been Unloved

KIRKPATRICK, WAYNE/SMITH, MICHAEL WHITAKER

I have been unfaithful
I have been unworthy
I have been unrighteous
And I have been unmerciful

I have been unreachable
I have been unteachable
I have been unwilling
And I've been undesirable

And sometimes I have been unwise
I've been undone by what I'm unsure of
But because of you
And all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

I have been unbroken
I have been unmended
I have been uneasy
And I've been unapprochable

I've been unemotional
I've been unexceptional
I've been undecided
And I have been unqualified

Unaware - I have been unfair
I've been unfit for blessings from above
But even I can see
The sacrifice You made for me
To show that I have never been unloved

It's because of you
And all that you went through
I know that I have never been unloved

He still loves me – always guiding, always directing, always empowering, always providing, always the same. In the middle of all of this change – He is UNCHANGING. I can’t help but express my thanks.

And then He does it again – HE provided the words so that my soul can worship Him.

KEEP MY HEART
© Joel Bernard / Colin Bernard

In this world of fading hope, You alone are my desire
As I walk the narrow way, lead me in Your righteousness
Hear my words, hear my cry as I bow before Your throne

Truth and victory belong to me
How could I walk away from You

O Lord my God, I will declare Your faithfulness in all the earth
And as I cross the raging waters, lead me in Your holiness
Hear my words, hear my cry as I bow before Your throne
Clothed in splendour, I’m left in wonder

In the presence of Your grace

Keep my heart close to Your own
Reap in my life what You have sown

Thank you for the gentle way that you have retrained my focus on what will best fit our church. Thank you for meeting me in the “watches of the night.” Again, in my life You have proven that your mercies are new every morning – GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. I will love whom You love Lord – as long as you give me strength and power to do it. I will. I will serve You. I will follow You, today, tomorrow and all the days after that – not because I have what it takes, but because You have what it takes. I can count on You to provide all that I need to do as You call. Thank you Lord! Thank You Lord!