Dear Friends:

I’ve been thinking - actually re-thinking – about what God wants for me and what He is willing to do for me. And the thoughts surprise me.

You see, I have been pretty skeptical about what is commonly called “prosperity theology.” Loosely defined, it is the teaching of some who say that if you trust Jesus as your Savior and try to live a life that pleases Him, you will be happy, healthy, and prosperous. And in some cases, happiness, health, and wealth are held out as good reasons to follow God.That idea so cheapens Christianity for me, that I think I (maybe with a slight air of superiority) have taught a tougher, more “realistic” kind of Christianity – the kind that says no matter what we go through, God will give us strength and will stand by us. I believe with all my heart that is true. But I am beginning to think that it is not one or the other: “Prosperity theology” or “smile through the tears” Christianity. The Bible teaches both!

As I am reading these days through the Psalms and through the prophets, the Holy Spirit seems to be highlighting verses that show God’s desire to do good things for His children. The Bible is full of promises of blessing for obedience and warnings of judgment for disobedience. God desires to reward right living. He wants His followers to do well. He delights in gives good gifts to His kids.

Here are a few of the verses that have opened my eyes to this truth:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you: he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)

“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.” (Psalm 57:2)

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Ps. 34:10)

“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

“How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Ps. 36:7-9)

Does that mean all my prayers are answered just exactly as I want them to be? No. And there are reasons for that. God knows better than I do what is best for me and I trust Him to respond accordingly. In fact, I would expect nothing less from Him. Secondly, there are times when He wants me to work through problems in my life because the very working through is what will bring me a step closer to total dependence on Him, which I believe is His ultimate goal.But, for all those other times, He responds by giving me what I have asked for. And when He does, I thank Him. In this process three things are becoming clearer:

(1) Everything that happens to me that is truly good is from His hand.

(2) Everything that seems bad on the outside can be turned to my good and His glory if I trust Him.

(3) There is a spiritual conflict going on that I cannot see, but that affects me every day. Jesus has defeated those powers of darkness and is willing and able to fight against those forces in my life if I ask Him to.

I will close this letter with a story. Six weeks or so ago, as I was praying each morning, it seemed that I should pray for God to send holy angels to protect the four corners of my house. I had never prayed that prayer before. I don’t normally ask for angels to be sent on my behalf. But, for some reason, it seemed that my home needed protection from evil forces and this was one way to ask for it.

I prayed that prayer a couple times a week for two or three weeks before an incredible windstorm hit our neighborhood and nearby town. Our house is surrounded by trees and a number of them fell. Four of them fell onto our deck crushing its outer edges. But, as tall as they were (60 to 70 feet), the four corners of our house were spared. The uppermost leaves of those huge trees brushed the edges of our house, but nothing hit the roof, no windows were broken, and no damage was done to the house itself.

But as my husband and I walked outside when the winds has died down, we saw a huge pine tree leaning precariously toward the north end of our house. If it fell, it would hit the roof for sure! During the night, I prayed as the winds, though mild now, blew through the trees and the great pine creaked. The next morning tree crews were there assessing the situation and agreeing with its gravity. By afternoon, they had the tree down and our house was safe. I don’t know for sure, but I was imagining a mighty angel holding that tree back in response to my prayers for protection for our home from the wily plans of the evil one.

Now, many in our area suffered far greater losses than we did. Many homes were hit by falling trees and suffered severe damage. I am not saying God loves me more. I am saying, though, that I believe God gave me the prayer to pray several weeks earlier in anticipation of the schemes of Satan to harm me. The prayer He gave, plus my praying it in obedience to His nudges, combined to provide the power to protect. I was protected, not from trees or storms, but from the enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.

I say all of this to encourage you to pray and, as you do, to believe that God wants good things for you. He asks that you walk in obedience to His commands. He asks that you learn to depend totally on Him for everything. And, then as you talk all these things over with Him, you begin to see His hand at work in visible and amazing ways in your life.

I would love to hear your stories of answered prayer, too. Or to hear from you about how you are learning to depend on God. Let me know how you are doing!

Blessings,

Bev
http://www.beverlyvankampen.com