We recently returned from a vacation in Europe with our thirteen year old granddaughter. It was the trip of a lifetime for us, and I hope for her as well. It was wonderful to get to know her more, and to see the young woman God is making in her.
We anticipated a smooth trip, with everything going as we had planned, since Denise spent many hours planning what we wanted to see and do in our limited time for sight-seeing on our own. For the most part, it worked out very well, but we did have one small run-in with an unseen adversary, a pickpocket in the Rome Metro station. The Roman version of Oliver Twist got away with my wallet and smartphone (which turned out to be not too smart after all, since I couldn’t locate it to wipe it after it was stolen).
We were able to get everything resolved within about three hours by making some phone calls to our credit card companies and bank, and canceling the phone account before anybody used it on my dime, but it still took time away from our plans, and threatened to put a stain on the trip. It was only by the grace of God that we were able to continue our journey, and the peace of God as Jehovah Shalom, as we had been studying in Sunday School, kept our minds focused on Him and not our circumstances. It also brought to mind this song, “As Long As You Are Glorified“, written by Mark Altrogge, included on the album “Come Weary Saints” by Sovereign Grace Music.
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings,
Yet not welcome any pain?
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain?
Shall I love You in times of plenty,
Then leave You in days of drought?
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt?
Oh, let Your will be done in me,
In Your love I will abide.
Oh, I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified.
Are You good only when I prosper,
And true only when I’m filled?
Are You King only when I’m carefree,
And God only when I’m well?
You are good when I’m poor and needy,
You are true when I’m parched and dry.
You still reign in the deepest valley,
You’re still God in the darkest night.
Oh, let Your will be done in me,
In Your love I will abide.
Oh, I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified.
So quiet my restless heart,
Quiet my restless heart,
Quiet my restless heart in You.
Oh, let Your will be done in me,
In Your love I will abide.
Oh, I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified.
© 2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)
Sometimes it is hard to see reasons for the things that happen. The good thing is, we don’t need to. We just need to know Who is in control and have faith in Him. As I’ve often said, you either believe God’s in control or you don’t. There is no “sometimes”.
