For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-3 ESV.

In our chapter, 1 Timothy 4, is encouragement for Timothy who is young and for all of us to trust as Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, leads us. Compared to Creator God we are all of us young in faith and needing encouragement. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with wordly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

There is something uplifting as we put our hope in the living God who is present and able to guide and strengthen us. We have no idea what tomorrow brings nor the days or weeks or years following and we are always so surprised by events we cannot control. Being able to turn to Him brings peace deep within – the same peace Paul, David, Daniel, Jesus Himself knew in our Father’s love. There is no chaos or confusion in God. I am so tired of living in a world of endless worry and strife. As I turn to Him, He lifts me out of the heaviness and brings me to that spacious place where I can breathe and know that He is with me and all of us always. Even if you can’t yet see to understand, He is with you. We walk by faith because we walk with Him. We still see the confusion, violence, unrest, fighting, sorrows of this fallen world. How can we not? But we see more as well. We see God’s hand in all of His good creation and we know His love. Last night we watched the Round Table discussion of The Chosen Season 5 Episode 1. They were discussing the deep sorrows Jesus knew and shared with His disciples. It was pointed out that Jesus, the Son, was never fallen. We, the sons and daughters of Adam, fallen and living in this broken world experience the brokenness differently. Jesus felt more keenly everything. He feels it still as He watches the sufferings and joys we all experience. We become numb by all the wrongs in this fallen world but our Creator God feels deeply. And…our living God knows that godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the present life…and also…for the life to come. I keep thinking about what it was like for the people living when Jesus lived here as one of us; and for those with eyes to see and ears to hear One who was never fallen – what must that have been like? One day we will all of us come face to face with Him and we will know Him fully as He knows us fully today. Imagine looking into His eyes of love and wisdom! For the not yet we live in today momentarily, let God Himself guide your heart toward closeness with Him and in Him find your hope and joy – your true Home with Him. Everything in our lives here is preparing us for that time to come. And our Creator God is not surprised by events here and now as we are. He knows. He feels deeply. And His steadfast love endures forever!