What now? What next? So many times over the last few years I have asked that question. It never seems to be one that God wants to answer ahead for me. We are out of orders at the shop. We have 3 houses for sale because we felt that God was leading us to sale them rather than rent them. We have fixed them up and now they are sitting….. We had one under contract so we were hoping that it would be closing in a few weeks. Well, yesterday the buyer backed out… no answers. It all seems to be piling in at one time and again we are looking at each other saying… what now? What next?
I still don’t know, but I know that God is in control and I will hold to that. Yesterday after we found out that the house sale fell through, I went into my office and opened up my Emails. The devotional for the 30th, from Proverbs 31 Woman was on this verse from Joshua…”Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” Joshua 3:4a (NIV) The devotion titled “Fearing The Unknown”. From the text…”Joshua’s life was unpredictable and full of unknowns much like yours and mine. Yet, he successfully resisted fear by keeping his focus on God and not the events surrounding him. Just as God guided the Israelites through unknown territory, He will guide you and me, too. As He promises in Isaiah 43, when we come to a place we’ve never passed through before, God is always present to help us. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (v.2-3a, NIV).”
It was as if God was saying once again, “I won’t tell you what is next… but I will tell you again, as I have many times before…. I have this! I am in control! Your circumstances, while they may seem urgent and insurmountable to you are of no surprise to Me! I have allowed this to come to you and I will see you through it.” I knew that the devotion was for me and meant to calm my fears. I know that God is in control and I know that he will work things for my good in the end. But my human side still says, “But what pain will I have to go through on this journey?” I am comforted, but still afraid. I know that I am not entirely settled since I went through another sleepless night last night and my Father knows my heart.
I woke up this morning dreading the day ahead. As I came into the office I turned on my computer, I went straight to my email… deep down I know that I am looking for another word from God to give me further assurance. As I click on the Proverbs 31 Woman email for today, the 31st… I once again see the title… “Fearing the Unknown.” Is it a part 2?… as I look on it I see that it isn’t; it is the same email from yesterday. It is dated today and I have a copy of the one that came yesterday in my file. The same email sent twice…. The same assurances… repeated to me…. Human error? Maybe… The hand of God… definitely! However it happened, God is repeating to me. “I have this… you continue to follow, and I will continue to lead. Don’t look to either side, just walk straight ahead and keep your eyes on me as the Israelites kept their eyes on the ark. I will lead you through because you have never gone this way before….. We are without resources… we are without a plan… we don’t know what to do next…. but I know who to follow…. Lead on Father….
