mighty deliverer...

i wonder how many times a day... we are rescued. delivered from the hands of evil.. things that could have come to pass... don't because God intervenes on our behalf. the word of God says that Jesus is constantly interceding for us before the throne.. and that the Lord fights for us and all we have to do is be still... he watches over us. protects us.. keeps his hand on us.. i wonder.. what does God shield our eyes from.. what messes does he clean up that we don't even realize we've made.. does he tie up our loose ends before things fall apart on us... before things go awry... and before we need to be healed and redeemed.. and put back together again.. how often does he prevent our heartache..

i know sometimes we do fall subject to the brokenness of this world... we all have wounds that need healing.. and will probably all encounter more sharp objects hurled at us by the enemy for as long as we are here.. we come to know strife.. we are always needing to be healed.. and reconciled.. and purified.. and refined... the inadequacies of earth tend to leave grubby fingerprints on our righteousness... God doesn't keep his children in a plastic bubble.. but i believe he would if he thought he could get away with it and not tamper with our ability to choose his goodness over the evil we experience on a daily basis.. he is a good God.. he doesn't want us to hurt or cry... or lose our confidence.. and i'd be willing to bet that he does what he can to keep us from pain.. just like any parent.. except more intense.. because he's God of the universe.. and the author of love..

tonight i've been thinking about the idea of God working all things together for the good of those who love him... i love him. therefore.. he is working ALL things together for my good.. this is such a comforting verse to me.. because i'm realizing that when things happen that seem to be a disappointment.. or something i thought was going to happen... doesn't. "MY GOOD" is at the top of God's priority list.. and even though i can't see it yet.. there is more going on than meets the eye.. there's a war in the spirit realm that i can't see.. and my Jesus is taking hits for me... while i am unaware... considering the amount of destruction the enemy would like to do on my life... when i compare that.. to the consistent provision and comfort and love i experience on a daily basis.. i think it would suffice to say that God fights for us.. far more than we could begin to realize... he is FOR us.. he loves. us. and gives us grace.. peace.. rest.. salvation.. good gifts... hope.. a future... and allows us to know his goodness in the land of the living.. what a good.. good.. God... i want to know everything about him..

writing this blog to boost the thanksgiving in my heart... and squelch the efforts of the thief... this Joy is mine.. i'll be keeping it :)