Faith for a busy season
There is a lot going on in the Castro home lately. Mckenna has just celebrated her birthday, Dave's is this Wednesday, my dad's is Friday, Charisa is due any day to give birth, we are busy enjoying and getting ready for Christmas and busy house shopping...yes, our house is now officially "under contract" with Jon and Jenni Smith. We are not yet sure where we are to move yet, but trusting the Lord to direct and guide us.
While we are busy looking around and pondering the move that is ahead, Dave has communicated that we are going to try to have a normal December, enjoy the Christmas season. However, I am ever aware that my sin is not at rest these days and temptation abounds to be anxious over a multitude of things. I picked up Morning and Evening a few days ago, and Spurgeon provided words of encouragement that refreshed my heart and brought renewed faith for the days ahead, whatever comes our way.
“Thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.”
Psalm 68:10
"All God’s gifts are prepared gifts laid up in store for wants foreseen. He anticipates our needs; and out of the fullness which he has treasured up in Christ Jesus, he provides of his goodness for the poor. You may trust him for all the necessities that can occur, for he has infallibly foreknown every one of them. He can say of us in all conditions, “I knew that thou wouldst be this and that.” A man goes a journey across the desert, and when he has made a day’s advance, and pitched his tent, he discovers that he wants many comforts and necessaries which he has not brought in his baggage. “Ah!” says he, “I did not foresee this: if I had this journey to go again, I should bring these things with me, so necessary to my comfort.” But God has marked with prescient eye all the requirements of his poor wandering children, and when those needs occur, supplies are ready. It is goodness which he has prepared for the poor in heart, goodness and goodness only. “My grace is sufficient for thee.” “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
Reader, is your heart heavy this evening? God knew it would be; the comfort which your heart wants is treasured in the sweet assurance of the text. You are poor and needy, but he has thought upon you, and has the exact blessing which you require in store for you. Plead the promise, believe it and obtain its fulfilment. Do you feel that you never were so consciously vile as you are now? Behold, the crimson fountain is open still, with all its former efficacy, to wash your sin away. Never shall you come into such a position that Christ cannot aid you. No pinch shall ever arrive in your spiritual affairs in which Jesus Christ shall not be equal to the emergency, for your history has all been foreknown and provided for in Jesus."
Yes, my heart was heavy before I sat down to read this and pray. But it helped me to lift my eyes above my circumstances to the Almighty God who has ordained and is intricately involved in all these circumstances, working for my good and helping me. Whether it is seeking to bless my dear family members celebrating birthdays in an already busy month or knowing we are to move, but not sure where, I am confident in the Lord's sustaining grace to help!
hey there heather!
i ventured onto your blog after reading that your little niece is now here (congrats!!)-- thought i might see pics (i'm sure they're coming) but instead found much more.. reading through your blog was like a devotional in itself. thanks for posting spurgeon's words and describing your family's adventures. i so wish we could have see you over thanksgiving but i'm sure the Lord has another time in store! :) miss you guys.
love,
angela