Keys to the Kingdom
I love and treasure my childhood memories. Part of my growing-up years consist of not being big enough to do everything I wanted. I couldn’t ride a bicycle until I mastered the tricycle. I had to wait until I was big enough to wear makeup, ride a horse, drive a car, etc. I have happy memories of being little and carefree. But at some point, I became big enough to worry; and that is not a milestone to celebrate. For many years now, I’ve done my best to believe God is who He says He is. And I can testify that He is exactly who He says He is. God’s Word backs Him up to not be a liar and I choose to agree with Him.
“God says, ‘Be silent and listen to Me…Let us come together to decide who is right’” (Isaiah 41:1 TEV). I’ve gotten big enough to shush my blabbing and be quiet so I can hear God’s gentle voice. “The Lord is the everlasting God; He created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands His thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired“ (Isaiah 40:28-29 TEV). I may not perfectly understand what God has up His sleeve, but those are fabulous opportunities to live out my absolute trust in Him.
“I, the Lord, was there at the beginning, and I, the Lord, will be there at the end” (Isaiah 41:4 TEV). I was not born alone, I do not live alone, and I will not die alone. My beginning, middle, and ending all include being snuggled in my Father’s strong arms.
“I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water…I will make cedars grow in the desert…People will see this and know that I, the Lord, have done it“ (Isaiah 41:18-20 TEV). The children of God are walking billboards for the Kingdom of God. And the people of the world will see good things and miracles in your life and will ultimately understand that God has made it happen. He’s big enough to take a nobody and make him/her a somebody in Christ.
“To whom can the holy God be compared? Is there anyone else like Him? Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? …He knows how many there are and calls each one by name!” (Isaiah 40:25-26 TEV). Our Tucker Family Band performs an Elvis cover entitled, “Somebody Bigger than You and I”, written by Hy Heath, Sonny Burke, and Johnny Lange. The contemplative lyrics and beautiful chord structure make this one of our favorite gospel renditions: “Who made the flowers to bloom in the spring? Who made the song for the robin to sing? And who hung the moon in the starry sky? Somebody bigger than you and I. He lights the way when the road is long; He keeps you company. And with His love to guide you, He walks beside you just like He walks with me…. When I am weary, filled with despair, who gives me courage to go on from there? And who gives me faith that will never die? Somebody bigger than you and I.“
God is big enough to perfectly handle all of life’s issues for the believer. Since He created and knows all the stars and calls each one by name, we can rest in His tender care because He knows our frame and name too. Why, oh why, can’t we really get a hold of this vital truth and learn to trust Him with all our being? God simply does not know how to fail.
The Key: Somebody bigger than you and I knows your name and will take good care of you because He‘s big enough.
