This I know: God is for Me

…[if]…My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.  -2 Chronicles 7:14-15

One week from tomorrow, I set out on a journey. I have known of it a while, and so have many of you. It started with these words from God: “Fill out your Australia application.” If those words were not clear, I would probably have chickened out by now.

If he had said to simply fill out the application, I would be saying, “to where? Zambia!? Ok! I can’t wait to get there…” But no. He SAID Australia.

A few years ago when Mom and I were dreaming about a trip we plan to take in 10-15 years, she suggested Australia as a destination. My response? “I have no interest in going to Australia. None at all. I’ve never wanted to go there.” So we chose a new place. .

I have known for the past few months that I was going on this trip for me. Not because I want to, because heaven knows I usually don’t. A tear-filled episode last night confirmed this thought for me when a friend suggested that this would be a time for me to learn and grow in ways I can only learn and grow there. And maybe in the meantime, she said, you will end up sharing Christ with the people you encounter.

One thing is for sure, the devil does not want me to go. He is sinking his claws into me, as literally as that is possible, and doing all he can to discourage me, scare me, and remind me that I never wanted to go to Australia. He tells me how far from home it is, and about how I don’t know anyone there. He tells me that I will have limited (if any) communication with home, since the 14 hour time difference will create a huge barrier. One thing, though, where I can see and know he has lost the fight is this.

I AM GOING to Australia. GOD WILL PROVIDE for me in Australia. GOD IS PROTECTING me here, and HE WILL BE PROTECTING me there. HE WILL TEACH me things I can not even dream. I know HIS ANGELS STAND WITH ME. And I know that HE WILL BE WITH ME. I know that HE WILL HEAR ME. I know that HE WILL FORGIVE ME. And I know that MY GOD IS FOR ME.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  -Romans 8:31 

You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not your records? Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.    -Psalm 56:8-9