Do you really believe God knows what He is doing? Do you really believe God is in control of everything 
that is done? Do you really believe that everything He does is purposed for good? I have been asking myself these questions today. When your expectations are met, they are easy questions to answer. When your expectations are not met, the answers come more slowly, as the substance of your faith is tested. Because God is the faithful gardener of His church, dedicated to its beauty, devoted to its health, and committed to its growth, He never fails to prune, trim, and thin when necessary. It is not a matter of if, but when. And when he does this, it is always at a time when His church is robust; it is always by means of something that is painful; it always results in a church that is less than it was, even ugly, at least for a brief time. But God knows what He is doing—He is perfectly wise. God is in control—He is perfectly sovereign. God is purposing all things for God (even the “bad” things)—God is good. Without fail, God’s and His arborist ways will produce more fullness and more fruit every time, though it may be difficult to believe from our finite perspective. Help us with our unbelief Lord, and may our contentment never be governed by the character of our changing circumstances, but by the character of our unchanging God.
“…Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation for the LORD which he will work for you today….The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14.13a, 14
