Do you believe?
July 27, 2009 (Monday)
GOD IS AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE.
Jesus appeared to Paul after his arrest in Jerusalem and assured him he would make it to Rome, and be his witness there. He just didn’t tell him how it would happen. His trip to Rome would be via a two-year imprisonment in Caesarea, an awful shipwreck in a terrible storm, a snake bite, and imprisonment for two years in Rome. Paul was happy with that method. He made it to Rome as promised, and won many people to Christ while there. His experience is an illustration of the truth of Romans 8:28, which teaches us that God works to accomplish his purpose in our lives, if we obey him and love him. God is at work in your life.
GOD IS AT WORK IN THE STRANGE THINGS THAT HAPPEN. Events may not seem strange at the time, but later on you look back and realize how unlikely those things were at the time. Paul didn’t know God had another purpose in mind when he was studying to become a Rabbi, becoming proficient in Jewish law. When he watched the stoning of Stephen, he didn’t know God was using that event to stir his conscience, preparing him to listen when Christ met him on the Damascus road. Joseph didn’t know of God’s plan to use him to save his people when he was thrown into a pit, then sold into Egyptian slavery. Esther never dreamed she would rescue her people by becoming a queen. I have seen God at work in the events of my own life, and so have you.
GOD IS AT WORK IN SAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN. He doesn’t make bad things happen, but he permits them. You can see that principle at work in the life of Job. People make choices, but God is sovereign, and he works to bring about good in your life, for his own sake. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28-29 that good and bad things happen to us in life, but God works through everything to mold us in the image of Jesus Christ. Stephen’s stoning was an awful event, but it resulted in Paul’s missionary work.
GOD IS AT WORK IN THE SAME KIND OF EVENTS THAT HAPPEN TO OTHERS. Job had no hedge protecting him, as Satan charged. The difference for him was that he became aware that God was awesome in power and greatness, and with him in his many troubles. He learned about God and became a better man through his suffering. If we look carefully, we can see God at work in our lives, in good times and bad.
Life can be difficult. God is with his people. Are you with him?
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SCRIPTURE VERSES (NIV) THAT CAN ENCOURAGE YOU TODAY:
Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:23-24).
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones
They will be protected forever (Psalm 37:28).
He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones
(Proverbs 2:8).
I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to me (Exodus 19:4).
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms
(Deut 33:27).
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great (Psalm 18:35).
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will
rescue you (Isaiah 46:4).
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to
his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen
(2 Timothy 4:18).