God, help me understand and reconcile your holiness with my humanity and discipleship command to be holy.
I believe you are holy. I believe you are uncreated. I believe you are above and sovereign.
You are BOTH Jireh and Way Maker.
You are the I Am.
A divine paradox.
You are mysterious and wonderful and good and righteous, O Ancient of Days.
I have dreams and desires and visions for my life and in my Christian walk.
I argue, even holy dreams.
Visions of being yoked with a partner who is so deeply convinced of Christ’s goodness and glory and power that we have the privilege of ministering and serving God together. Desires for children someday that I may bring up sharing the knowledge and love and fear of the Creator of all things in and under Heaven. Dreams of living out my career to serve and love people in a way that is only possible because of the grace of the Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.
How do I fully behold, rest, abide in Your holy provision while also maintaining holy dreams and yearnings?
You are Jehovah Jireh -- Yhwh Provides. You dress the lilies of the field and feed the birds of the air. You send manna during our rebellious wanderings. Even Satan, himself, understands/acknowledges/reveres Your provision.
“He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” (Matthew 4:6)
You give dreams. You make all things new. You bless. You work miracles. You redeem.
All in abundance.
“We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8)
“O LORD, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not hear?”
“...Look among the nations, and see;
wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
that you would not believe if told.” (Habakkuk 1:2 & 5)
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28)
“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” (1 Samuel 1:10-17)
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10)
“And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.” (Matthew 8:13)
“Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:40-43)
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How does a servant of the Most High wait well for holy dreams and yearnings?
How do we acknowledge fully the Lord’s end-all holy provision without detracting from a spirit of holy anticipation, holy petition, and holy watchfulness?
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…” (Colossians 4:2-3a)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-21)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Creating, transforming, fulfilling, reconciling was not limited to Genesis or the Law of Moses. If it were, there would be no need for miracles, prayer, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. Provision and dreams do not end at the Cross, they are because of our need for the Cross.
God’s holiness and redemptive power meets creation at the Cross and invades hearts by the Spirit.
The Father’s provision is not stagnant. It was not a single point in time. It is not apart or distinct from renewal or the process of growth and redemption.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14)
God is sufficient; yet His sufficiency does not restrain nor constrain his ability and joy of blessing and working for and through His people.
I do not fully understand this -- and will not, this side of Heaven -- but that is the mystery of God at its finest.
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17)
Provision and hope are not mutually exclusive.
Provision and joy are not mutually exclusive.
Provision and dreams are not mutually exclusive.
He richly provides for our enjoyment.
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