Grace For The Journey

  Father Knows Best was a 1950’s American radio and television comedy series that portrayed middle class family life in the Midwest.  The title character, in both the radio and televisions versions, was played by Robert Young, who later enjoyed great success with another television series: Marcus Welby, M.D.  The “Father” character was beloved throughout the country for providing wise, kindly advice whenever his children had a question or problem.  At the end of each program, everything always worked out for the best.

The title of this show reminds me of a deep Gospel truth that anchors the life of the believer on solid rock rather than shifting sand . . .

Our Heavenly Father truly does know what is best for His children.

The Bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

If we ignore our Father’s guidance, we’ll stumble along a rough and crooked path.

He really does know best!

• ·His plan is better than our plan 
• ·His way is better than our way
• ·His path is better than our path
• ·His life is better than our life

As one person has said, “Omnipotence is working on behalf of God’s children twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”  Now, if we assume a worldly perspective, some of the providences we face in life might not seem like they are the best, but they truly are!  God has promised to use everything that happens to His children for their good.

The Bible says in Romans 8:28-32, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all–how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”

Notice first what this passage does not say: it does not say that all things are good. There is a lot of bad that happens in this fallen, broken, sin-filled world.  But our Heavenly Father knows best how to make all things, including the bad, work together for the good of His children.

The ultimate purpose of everything in life is that

God uses it to conform us to the likeness of Jesus.

And don’t miss this . . . what God started He will finish.

The Bible teaches that all who have been justified (saved), God will ultimately glorify (fully sanctify).  You will not always be like you are . . . and I know that is good news for all of us who know just how much sin still remains in our mortal bodies!

One more Gospel point from this passage before we close . . .

If God is for us, who cares who, or what, is against us?

Regardless of the waves of challenge you are facing today – at the office, within your family, around your neighborhood, in your health and finances – your Heavenly Father knows best and will bring the best out of you, no matter what you are going through.

And what is the best inside of every child of God?  The Lord Jesus Christ!  As God is conforming us to the image of His precious Son, we are decreasing and He is increasing in our lives.  Our Heavenly Father is causing us to reflect more and more of the character of Christ with each passing day.  He grows more and more visible as we display the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

And one day, in the not-so-distant future, we will be brought home into our heavenly rest where we will be with Jesus forevermore.  To be sure, our Heavenly Father knows best!

This is God’s Word For Today … This Is Grace For The Journey

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”