06/04/2022 - DECISION OF ONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING

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And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side. Mathews 8:18

God’s purposes are far beyond what we have seen or perceived, for He knows everything, completely. When the Lord tells us something or warns us of a danger, we must believe and do what He commands. Our vision is short and lacks direction, but that of the Most High is perfect; therefore, higher and more precise than ours. He loves us and cares for us, always. Before the tempter plans to attack us, God is already guarding us (1 Samuel 2:9).

To the merely human view, Christ was to remain in Capernaum, for a great multitude came to Him seeking deliverance from their ills and were happy with His actions. It was the fulfillment of Scripture – that by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). What man, in his right mind, would leave the crowd to go and seek others who also needed healing? God thinks differently from us and does what is right.

We live like merchants who look for profit even in sincere friendships, and we don’t always reach our goals. The Almighty has the right way to act, because, besides being holy, everything is naked and transparent before Him (Hebrews 4:13). His wonderful power will operate in any situation, even if apparently there is no way out. To do the same works that the Son did, we have the assistance of Heaven (John 14.12). All we have to do is ask and wait to be guided in peace.

That was an opportunity not to be missed by those present, but the Lord understood that it was time to move on to the other shore. Consider this possibility when you feel the divine touch and don’t wait any longer. Remember that we are pilgrims and strangers just as the heroes of the faith were: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).

The Bible says that there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1), such as being born, with its distinct phases, when we are lovingly cared for by our parents, as well as bearing children, when we will watch over the Lord’s inheritance with affection and respect. This is also revealed in the divine work. Why only “tend” the flock, when we have orders to go out into the world and preach to the lost? It doesn’t matter if there will be persecution – God will guide us continually.

Everything that the Lord does is good, including the time of our departure from here: We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8). This does not mean that we should shorten our departure, for that decision is the Almighty´s prerogative. Now, there is nothing to fear when He decides that our time has come. Now, to dwell with the Savior is both pleasant and desirable: Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints (Psalms 116:15). So do not fear what is precious!

On the other side of the shore there would be new experiences and His disciples needed to be taught to trust in God, but before they got there, they went through a storm, to learn to tame even the forces of nature. What happened on that crossing was fundamental to the struggles they would experience later. Believe and live!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares