Naches: For Heaven’s Sake, Tamar’s Story
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
We live under a canopy of trees which protect us from the whipping winds of the sea. A storm came through this weekend, and we could tell the wind was blowing, but the gusts didn’t take us away until we walked away from the protection down to the park and out into the open!
“How do you know God is always present?” a good friend once asked me.
I responded, “How do you know the wind is always present? We know it’s there, but we don’t always feel it. Even when we don’t feel God’s presence, He is present and constantly at work in our lives. Believing this is what we call faith.”
From the moment we first believe, God is with us.
When we believe, God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is always present.
When we believe, a covenant is created. This bond is forever. Even when we don’t feel it, it’s still there.
Tamar married into Judah’s family. When her husband died, and his brother died, and Judah did not give his youngest son to her in marriage (as he was supposed to according to the levirate marriage law) Tamar tricked her father-in-law and became pregnant by him. She gave birth to twins. One of the twins, Perez, continued the lineage from Israel to Judah and eventually to Jesus. (Genesis 38)
In the midst of turmoil and darkness, and what appears to be disgrace, God picks up our perspective, turns it upside down, and we find joy.
He never leaves us as He is working out His plan for heaven’s sake!
We are only a “snapshot” in His “big picture.” You do not know what work He is doing behind the scenes for where He is preparing for you to go.
This is why we praise Him in the good, and praise Him in the not-so-good times, because He is at work all the time.
Joy comes in trusting Him, and trusting Him gives us strength.
Heavenly Father,
I praise You for Your presence in our lives all the time, even when we don’t feel it. I praise you for Tamar’s story which shows us that you are always at work behind the scenes. You make all things beautiful in Your perfect timing and You use all things for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen
Keeping you close in prayer,
Basking in His Light
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Comments are closed.
joanneviola
January 27, 2015 at 7:15 amSo grateful we have a God who is “an ever-present help in times of trouble”. So glad to have stopped here this morning & found an encouraging word. Blessings!
Ruth
January 27, 2015 at 12:03 pmGod is always working, even in the turbulent times. This is a great encouragement to me! He uses these difficult times so we can truly learn to trust Him. I am learning this lesson right now. Thanks for linking up today 🙂 Really like the song too! God bless!
tinamwright
January 27, 2015 at 12:11 pmHi Mindy, I found your site via #RaRaLinkup 🙂
What a beautiful reminder!–> “…“joy” for this season is not about having more joy, but rather about bringing joy.”
Thank you for obeying God’s call to write. Your words are encouraging and inspiring. God Bless!
Sheila Kimball
January 27, 2015 at 12:11 pmJoy comes in trusting Him, and trusting Him gives us strength. Absolutely, Mindy. Thanks for your words at #RaRaLinkup
Abby
January 27, 2015 at 2:54 pmI love the story of Tamar. Such a beautiful testament that God always has a plan, even when we don’t see it. Your line about the wind reminded me of a C.S. Lewis quote. Thanks so much for sharing your faith and inspiring others to do the same. Blessed to have you at #RaRaLinkup today.
Laura Marie Scoggins
January 27, 2015 at 9:46 pmStopping by from the #RaRaUplink. What a beautiful post with such encouraging words. So true that we don’t know what work He is doing behind the scenes!
The One Who Clung to Joy - Basking in His Light
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