Faithful in Every Season

Rest and delight in God's faithfulness to you no matter what season of life you are in or where God has you during this season.

This week’s blog encourages you to rest and delight in God’s faithfulness to you no matter what season of life you are in or where God has you during this season. "In seasons of plenty, in seasons of pain You are so, so good” are some of the opening words in the song “Every Season” by Canyon Hills Worship. This song really spoke to me as I was reflecting over this past year-- so many varied seasons in my life. The song goes on to speak about our Father’s faithfulness- constant and stable in every season-- and comes to an end reminding us that we can trust God’s hand in every season. Oh, how sweet those words are as seasons come and go.

Next month we will have been back in the USA for 1 year after being in Germany for 5 years. We knew God was closing doors in Germany and we boarded the plane August 22 with heavy, torn hearts, but also a peace that we could not explain.

At the time, we were not sure why God was moving us back to the states when there was an option to stay, but we trusted Him. He took us to Germany, extended our time there, and we knew that He was leading us back to the USA. It was still so HARD! One of the most wonderful seasons of our life together was the years in Germany. However, we knew that God’s ways and plans are always best. There have been many unexpected things that have come up and reasons seen by us in the past year that reminded us of God’s faithfulness in bringing us back in His timing. How blessed we were to have a Sovereign God preparing our path for things unseen knowing we could trust Him, clinging to His promises, accomplishing His plan for every season of our lives.

As I looked over this song looking for scripture (as I often do with songs), I was so blessed! Canyon Hills Worship is not known to me so I cannot speak regarding the church. What I can speak to is the scripture represented over and over in this song and the peace this song offers as it focuses on God’s attributes.

God is unchanging as stated in the lyrics as well as in Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8 and James 1:17. God is good regardless of our circumstances seen in the chorus as well as 1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 27:13-14, 31:19-20, 34:8, 86:5, 100:5, 106:1, 136:1, 145:9; Lamentations 3:25; Nahum 1:7; Mark 10:18; and Luke 18:19. Oh how much I lean on some of these verses when the way ahead seems unclear or even depressing to me. I find hope and comfort knowing that my Abba Father always has things under control!

For just a moment, think about all the promises we have from God through Jesus. He is good, so faithful, and so constant no matter how many times we fail or our circumstances. He is faithful through it all! His storehouse of blessings and love never run out for us.

I don’t know about you but when I focus on these things, all of Satan’s attacks become so small. All the answers may not be seen but my heart can rest.  Why?  Because I can trust the promises of my Sovereign God, Creator of the universe, and my Abba Father. I can face tomorrow and all uncertainties without fear.

A dear friend of mine has been caring for her mother who was admitted to Hospice. Her mother passed from this life to eternal joy with our Heavenly Father this past weekend. Oh, how my heart hurts for my sweet sister. I wish I could make the loss of her mother easier, but we all know this is a season that most all of us will walk through, and the greatest peace she has at this time is knowing that her mother is in heaven and not suffering with health issues any longer.

Her mother’s season here on earth is over and she is walking with her Savior eternally now. No more seasons of life, no more suffering, no more battles, only worship and peace with our Creator! Can I get an “Amen”? I read a statement by John MacArthur this morning (who is not with our Savior) that said, “All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus. It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” Sweet sister, aren’t you thankful for God’s unchanging, unending promises, that His promises never change and His steadfast love endures forever? Me too!

Last night as I laid in bed, I was replaying something in my mind that happened earlier in the day. I was a little hurt and a little exasperated regarding the happenings with another person. I was focusing on MY feelings, MY hurt and MY disappointment.

I began praying about the situation and God so graciously changed my thoughts to focus on how very blessed I am to serve a risen Savior who works ALL things for our good, making us more like Jesus. As a smile came across my face, I was able to give thanks once again for God’s goodness and unchanging promises despite any situation or how anyone treats me. Dear sister, God is good, He knows what is going on in our lives and He can do something about it. What an awesome thought to go to sleep on.

I am praying that as women read this blog entry that your hearts will be blessed and filled as you cling to His promises, His faithfulness and unchanging promises no matter where you are in this season of life. As you look at the snow, you can find the negative or positive. Those beautiful color-changing leaves in your yard can be viewed as a blessing of color and cool temperatures or a pain to clean up.

That hot summer day can be used as joy watching a child play in water or as a time of complaining to the wonderful Provider of that sun. The choice of attitude during every season is yours. How will you look at the provision and promises from your wonderful Savior?

Verses to hide in your heart:

Malachi 3:6- “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Hebrews 13:8- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  

James 1:17- “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

1 Chronicles 16:34- “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Psalm 27:13-14- “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of in the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Psalm 31: 19-20- “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.”

Psalm 34:8- “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Psalm 86:5- “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon

you.”

Psalm 100:5- “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Psalm 106:1- “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Nahum 1:7- “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-25- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

~Live Sent

I hope you will enjoy listening to this song: https://youtu.be/bJUUQkeVq2s