When we face hurt, tragedy, and disappointment, we want it removed, but it remains. Also sometimes it is not removed but replaced. His ways are not our ways. At times the Lord does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. There are times we need His peace, His strength, His rest, and His grace. Why? Because ours is inadequate, insufficient, and ineffective. Even as we are waiting, He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).
Good News! God has a replacement program: God can replace our weaknesses with His strength. God can replace our restlessness with His rest. God can replace our troubled hearts with His peace. At times it seems no one can give us what we need. But our Great Physician can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. I have learned that there is no substitute for His peace, His strength, His rest, and His grace that is always sufficient. His peace: There is a difference in my peace and His peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). His Strength: There is a difference in my strength and His strength. “God is my strength and power” (2 Sam. 22:33). “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psa. 18:2). Paul sought three times for his personal pain to be removed, but it remained! Note: God did not remove it, but God replaced it with His sufficient grace. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). His Rest: There is a difference in my rest and His rest. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). God may not still your storm, but He can still you in the storm. When you cannot see the Hand of God – Look for the Heart of God!
The following poem was inspired after I experience a night of being all alone in ICU.
God’s Replacement Program (Col. 3:8-14). “Lord, Thank You… For replacing my panic with your peace. For replacing my sorrow with your Spirit. For replacing my cares with your contentment. For replacing my heaviness with your hope. For replacing my stress with your serenity. For replacing my loneliness with your love. For replacing my anxiety with your abiding. For replacing my guilt with your grace. For replacing my grief with your goodness. For replacing my pain with your presence. Lord, I thank You!”
Dear friend: As Paul, have you experienced or are you now experiencing
God’s Replacement Program?
