Blessed Assurance

God speaks to me mostly through the subtle promptings of His Word,
through another person, or through an inner impulse.  But on a few
occassions, He has spoken to me so clearly that I cannot attribute the
"voice" to anything but direct interaction with God.  I wonder often
why God doesn't always speak to me as clearly.
 
On a few occasions during 15 months of a job search, God chose to
speak directly to me. In my previous job, I unintentionally became a
spokesman for workers during a time of company layoffs which made me
focal point of contention with management. One manager even threatened
my career. I was devastated, angry, dumbfounded and physically
sickened by the injustice and its potential consequences.
 
I had cried out to the Lord in this most desparate time and at first
I received just one phrase from Psalm 23: "Thou preparest a table for
me in the presence of mine enemies."  Then joy overcame me and I was
filled.  It is difficult to explain, but familiar scripture got ten
fathoms deeper in that one instant.  Then He gave me three assurances:

• God is good
• God is personally interested in my situation
• Jesus never fails

Sandwiched between God's eternal goodness and Jesus' record of
victory, God assured me that not only was He in control, but that I
was His personal concern.
 
Some opportunities came and went and I shouted excitedly at God,
"Hey! that looked like a nice one! What gives!?" There was one job
opportunity that was mine for the taking and at first it sounded like
my dream job. But after the interview I was greatly disappointed and
knew that I couldn't move my family to another state for that position.
 
As I mulled over the personal expense and time spent on that
opportunity I wondered why I had to go through so much when God is the
King and I am His child. That is when He called me by name and said:
"Mark, I'll give you what you want, but it may not be my best.  Now,
what do you want?"
 
Throughout my job search I has been asking for God to grant me His
best. As the miles rolled under my car, I asked the Lord to forgive my
impatience and ignore my whining because no matter what it took, I
knew that His best was far better than anything I could dream.  I also
asked Him to understand my frustrations in not being able to see the
whole picture.
 
Impatient as I am, I don't like it when God takes me to the very
edge of his perfect timing but He has assured me from time to time
that He is still personally involved. When He does, I find that I can
go just a little farther in His time for His best.  He has since given
me a job that I love; His best. God is so good!