TRUSTING GOD’S VISION FOR HIS CHURCH

Bible Verse:
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought aromatic spices so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week, at sunrise, they went to the tomb. They had been asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
Mark 16:1-3 (NET Bible)

The one true God acts in a faithful manner; the Lord’s promise is reliable; He is a shield to all who take shelter in Him.
Psalm 18:30 (NET Bible)

Devotional:
So much of life is problem-solving. We look at the world around us — we examine the workload, then we carefully plot a course to get the job done. The women who came to the tomb to attend to Jesus’ body after His death were no different, asking themselves what could be done about the huge stone covering the entrance. Could they move the rock on their own? Should they have enlisted the help of friends? Would they be risking injury by trying to move this big thing? And what about unforeseen problems? What about the Roman guards keeping watch? Was this too dangerous after all? Come to think of it, why did these friends of Jesus go to the tomb amid such uncertainty? Could it be that God had a special purpose in mind for them? Could it be that He had brought them there?

Certainly it was the women’s love for Jesus that compelled them to embark on their journey from the start. We know that by the time the women reached the tomb, all of their difficulties had strangely vanished — the stone and the Roman guards. And their complete access to the tomb once they arrived is a hopeful picture of how God works through His people and for His church.

In looking to the future of family ministry here at Northwest, I want to trust the work that God is doing in our midst, both seen and unseen. I want to come to Him confidently and ask Him to help me trust Him for the vision He is casting in His church. I want to know that He is superintending this new building project because He, Himself, has brought us to this place, a place that is well established and fully grounded in Him. Psalm 18:30 says, “What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it.” May it be that the friends of Jesus at Northwest Bible Church trust His vision as well. May we own this journey together as set apart for us by no less than God Himself.

Prayer:
Ask the Holy Spirit to release you to trust Him gladly through this fund-raising and construction endeavor. Commit yourself daily to a view of God the Father as Sovereign. Imagine what life in this church would be like if Jesus Himself was our expectation. Rehearse this truth on a regular basis in a community of people you trust. And pray: “Good Father, show us Your glory! Would You teach our hearts to know Your presence?”

Written by Jonathan Habashy. Jonathan and Kris have attended Northwest for 13 years. They have three children: Jeb (6), Gareth (3) and Ruthie (2).