Sometimes in life, we can become so focused on the difficulties of this life and what we are going through that we forget that God knows exactly what we are going through.  He wants to be a guide who leads us through whatever storms may come our way. I love the account of Peter’s response to Christ in John 6:63-69. It just blesses my heart so deeply. God does not abandon those who are His. He may not always remove difficult seasons from our lives, but He will never leave us or forsake us. One of the things I have learned about faith is that it has nothing to do with my circumstances. Faith is trusting God, that He is the Sovereign ruler over all things, and that through His love, He has given to us the gift of eternal life. Just as Peter so lovingly responds to Christ in this encounter. Here is what John 6:63-69 says:

” It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.  We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 

All of us who profess faith in Christ have come to “know” that Christ is the Holy One of God. If that is settled in our heart, then no matter what this life may bring, it should have no effect on our faith. When life circumstances can dictate the substance of our faith, then the focus of our faith is not Christ; it is us.  In my book, God is Always God, I encourage fellow believers to understand that our faith embraces God’s sovereignty and we trust that He always loves us and will always be faithful to walk with us, not to give us what we want.  This is an excerpt from the chapter, “God is Always Faithful”:

“Paul teaches us about the mercy of God. “What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” God has allowed us to enjoy the promise of His faithfulness through the covenant He has made through His Son. He is faithful to hear our prayers. It is an honor and a privilege to approach the throne of God and know that He will faithfully hear our prayers. Just because He hears us does not mean we will always get the desired answer. Still, it does mean that God is faithful to hear us and answer us according to His will in every circumstance we bring before Him.”

I was reminded of Peter’s Word as I thought about the events of the past week, and the tragic events of the flooding in the Hill Country here in Texas.  Even in this awful loss of life, God is still faithful to bring us through to a place of peace and comfort. Again, I say, in the worst time, God can bring about great change for good. God is Always Good, and He is always faithful. Be Blessed!