“How strange a chequer-work of Providence is the life of man! and by what secret differing springs are the affections hurried about as differing circumstances present! Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear; nay, even tremble at the apprehensions of.” Robinson Crusoe, 119
Robinson Crusoe made this observation after being shipwrecked on a deserted island and living there alone for 15 years-all that time longing for the sight of another human being-he saw a single unidentified foot print in the sand and he was immediately taken with fear. Instead of rescue, his thoughts went to his possible destruction at the hands of savages, forgetting that God had protected and provided for him all that time, and he was afraid for his life.
It is so easy to allow our circumstances to dictate our outlook on life. One minute we are excited and happy because all is going well, and the next we despair and lose hope because some calamity has struck. Yet there is a better way. The way of faith, hope and love brings a stability and security that will see us through the most terrible storms that life could possibly throw at us.
Dr. Radmacher talks about this in his book The Disciplemaker. He says, “The more I know of what God is like, the more I am able to believe Him.” This is faith, which then leads to hope. “Second, I will then find myself having hope in His promises because ‘He is faithful that promised’ (Heb 10:23).” This is how a believer can remain firm in any circumstance. Our hope isn’t contingent on our circumstances but on the One who controls everything. Since He is faithful we can rest in the fact that He wants what is best for us. This in turn will grow a love in us for the Father and for those around us.
How do we know that He wants what’s best for us? We know this because we know Him and we know Him by spending quality time with Him and we spend time with Him by studying His word and spending time in prayer. This is the way for us to not be shaken by each new circumstance as it comes our way, by knowing Him and putting our faith in His promises.
By Wesley Baker
