TRUSTING GOD WHEN YOU SEE NO WAY OUT OF YOUR PROBLEM.

Faith is believing even though we cannot see how God will provide.  Trust Him. He never fails!

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

As I was reading Ezra and Daniel, the Lord began to speak to me about His plans and faithfulness to the children of Israel and those who are in Christ Jesus. 

It also applies to those who trust in Jesus Christ today who love and follow the Lord.

Did God allow the children of Israel to go into bondage?  Yes. So that Babylon would learn about the God of Israel and how faithful and miraculous He has been to His children. 

When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple and took the children of Israel to Babylon, and had taken the Temples treasuries,  God had a plan.

He would raise up a king named Cyrus and this king would show favor to the children of Israel.

Not only Cyrus but his predecessor Darius who would fulfill Cyrus's plan.

They would restore all that had been taken and bless the Jews with far more than what Nebuchadnezzar had stolen. (Ezra 6:1)

Ezra 6:7-8  (Read the whole account)

Let the work of this house be of God alone;  let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.

Moreover I issue a degree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews,  for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the kings expense from taxes on the region beyond the River, this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered.

Beloved, can you see how God had a plan as the Jews were taken to Babylon? 

Jerimiah 29:10-11

For thus says the Lord:  After 70 years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God always has a greater purpose in mind when His children fail Him. Did they sin, Yes, but God in His mercy will bless them. 

Like Jesus had for us, He would go to the cross and pay for ALL our sin, the raise from the dead and give gifts to us.  More than we can imagine.

God had a plan to bless and restore far more than they can imagine.

Not only did God choose king Cyrus to bless the Jews, He also put it on their heart to protect the Jews. 

Return them to Jerusalem so they could rebuild their Temple and return the treasuries, that had been taken plus much more.

Yes, they were taken into bondage,  but that was only part of their story.

God chose the most unlikely people to fulfill His plan to bless His children.

This is Iraq and Iran of today. 

Today we see churches go into debt with a bank loan, only to cause anxiety when funds don't come in for the payment. Was its God's plan?

Was it in God's timing?  who knows.  But God's mercy and grace will help them with their debt.

God allows us to go just so far, then He steps in with miraculous provision. God gets the glory!

In Daniel we find another story about the three children of Israel refusing to bow to the kings image.  

They are thrown into the fiery furnace only to have the preincarnate Jesus show up and keep them safe, they didn't even smell of smoke.

Then there was Daniel in the Lions den, and an angel shuts the lions mouth. It changed a nation.

The story of Joseph being thrown into a pit and sold to passers by taken to Egypt. 

A prisoner for a season, but He had God's favor on him.

He was to be used of God to save the people and be promoted. Divine favor.

He would provide food for Israel during a famine. Forgiveness for His brothers.

Genesis 50:20  (Joseph speaking)

But as for you, you meant it for evil against me;  but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many alive.

Beloved, look at the examples that God has left us in His word.  See how gracious and merciful God is to His children.

We can all look back in our trials and tests and see how God moved in our lives for our good.  

At the time it did not seem good, and we suffered some, but we did survive and see God's plan and purpose.

2Timothy 2:11

For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure,  We shall reign with Him.

All of these stories show us that in order for God to reach people in others nations He uses His children. (missionaries who have a rough go of it)

Did God allow the Jews to go into bondage?  Yes! Because of their sin.

For the planned purpose to bless them later as God reveals Himself through them to the foreigners.

Does God allow us to go into situations that looks impossible?  Yes!  only to reveal who He is and what He can do. So that He gets the glory.

How would we know about God's provision and His faithfulness, if we had not gone through our trials.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  And lean not on your understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths.

Romans 8:28

And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God,  to those who are THE called according to His purpose,

When you can't see the forest for the trees, know that God is leading you and it takes faith in His faithfulness to take another step.

Look at Daniel, Joseph, Jacob, Ruth, Naomi, Rahab, the three Hebrew children, and many others in God's word.  

It was written so that we would  learn the purpose that God has for us, to bless and prosper us in every area of our life.

God's word is full of hidden treasures that we can dig out and find truth for our life.

What a joy when the Holy Spirit unfolds a new truth to us, so that we will see the big picture.

Praise God for His faithfulness even though it may take some time to see His ultimate plan for us. 

That's where our faith is developed.

God bless your day

Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus

Joy