"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

 

        Once upon a time -- in the dark ages -- there was a TV show called "Father Knows Best".  (Anyone out there want to admit to watching it in your childhood?!)  Of course, the father didn't always know best but somehow things generally turned out all right in the end.

 

        Recently, I heard a woman say that she was praying for her friend to be healed.  She told her friend, "I'm not praying: 'Lord, thy will be done.'  I'm praying for your healing."  Isn't it great that she loves her friend so much?!  Isn't it great that she has faith to pray for her healing?!  And yet, something in me had to stop and think that one through.

 

         God is our heavenly Father, and unlike the mortal human beings who fathered us, He IS perfect.  He really does know best.  On top of that, He really does love best.  Yes, God's will can be hard -- just look at Jesus' struggle in the garden of Gethsemane -- but God's will is good.  God's will is pleasing.  God's will is perfect.  (See Romans 12:2, NIV)  And God's will leads to eternal joy for His children.  We can trust God.  And we can entrust ourselves and those we love into His loving care.

 

Pastor Mary