He Has Set His Affection On Us

I recently finished “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom. Astounding. I saw the play version on Easter when I was in Kosovo for my DTS outreach, but it was incredible actually reading the account of the faithfulness of God.

“In 1959 Corrie was part of a group which revisited Ravensbruck now in East Germany, to honor Betsie and the ninety-six thousand other women who died there. There Corrie learned that her own release had been the result of a clerical “error”; one week later all women her age were taken to the gas chambers. 

The book ends with that passage. I sat there stunned at the sovereignty of God. The sovereignty of God does not mean that we are exempt from hardship by any means. But it gives me hope that in the midst of hardship, Romans 8:28 is true, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called; according to his purpose.”

There have been a few things that have happened in my life recently that make me want to question the character and nature of God. But then I am pulled back to reality by the astounding testimonies in my own life of His character. He is faithful! He is writing an amazing story! He will take every hardship and weave His thread of goodness through it, if we’ll allow him and if we’ll see it. 

At the end of the book, Corrie ends with a devotional/application. As I slowly get these truths engrained into my mind, breakthrough is happening in my perspective!

1. God governs all things, even those that appear to us senseless or cruel. 

• Perhaps you ask why children must suffer in war, or how a loving God could permit a typhoon. Include vexing personal questions: an illness in your family, an automobile accident, a business failure. Now, one by one, transfer these loads from your own care to God’s. “Lord, because I do not have the answers to these things I do not therefore conclude that there are no answers. You know why, Lord, and when I am strong enough - wise enough, loving enough - you will show me too.”

2. God supplies grace for present need

• With griefs and problems He also grants strength. But like Corrie’s father on the weekly trip to Amsterdam, God gives us our ticket only as we board the train. Put down 10 concerns that cause you anxiety… Now read your list with this question: how many of these situations belong to today? In how many are you running ahead of God’s supply?

3. God wills us to give thanks

• Our praise and gratitude in some mysterious way open the door for Him to bless us as He wishes. Write down five things for which you are currently most grateful. Several times a day pause to thank God for these blessings; watch your sense of the goodness and love in the world - especially of His love - grow accordingly. Write down five present situations for which you are most definitely not grateful. Now set yourself the discipline of giving thanks daily for these things as well. See how God is able to use your changed attitude to change facts. 

30 December 2012 ·

• Tags
• corrie ten boom
• hiding place
• perspective