Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
I Thessalonians 5:16-24 NASB
“…and He also will bring it to pass.”
I read a book by a rabbi who is a practicing family therapist, and he observed that the thing that people want most is certainty. Beyond clarity, insight, or wisdom, people want to know that the “outcome” – whatever the issue might be – is going to be good. Did I make the right decision? Will this matter turn out well? Is my kid going to be OK? Am I going to be OK?
There is nothing like uncertainty to produce anxiety, and there is nothing like relief from anxiety to produce joy. We have reason for certainty, a certainty not based on assurances of this world, but based on the Lord God Almighty who has the outcome firmly in hand.
Scott sometimes speaks of “leaning into” life, and you can read Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians in the same light. Pray with joy and thanksgiving regardless of the circumstances “for this is God’s will for you…” When the Spirit moves, don’t quench the outworking, but “hold fast to that which is good…” Have confidence that God is bringing about your sanctification and you will be preserved complete and blameless, because “faithful is He who calls you.”
Thank God that He came into the world, so we can rest in the certainty that “He also will bring it to pass.”
by Guy Gould