God is Working Things Out

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

My in-laws’ home is a reminder of how God takes what looks like a bad situation and works things out for our good. Several years ago their home was completely destroyed by a tornado. Their place of residence was laid to ruins while they were inside. It’s a notable miracle that they’re still alive considering the way the storm came through the home. Although a great deal of their property and personal belongings was ruined, they had insurance so everything was replaced. The end state of their trial resulted in The Lord blessing them with a wonderful home that’s twice the size of the one they had. On top of that, they bought the home with a fair amount of equity already in it! What looked initially like a catastrophe ended up as a wonderful blessing.

Many times we’re unable to see The Plan of God amidst the things that we endure. But The Master has a way of working things out in a way that both favors us and gives glory to His Name. The challenge for the believer is to trust God when we don’t understand what He’s doing or why we’re having to endure the things we do. Our faith has to rise to the point where “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that we’ll know that You’re working out every detail of our lives for our good, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

THE FATHER'S RESTORATION

Mark 16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. (KJV)

One of the devil’s biggest tricks is to bring condemnation (guilt) on God’s people because of our mistakes. I submit that some of our greatest warfare occurs in our minds after we’ve “sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” (Romans 3:23) During periods of testing and trials, Satan reminds us of our shortcomings and tries to convince us that God has forfeited His Plans concerning us. But I want to inform some and remind others that regardless of your failure, God has not forfeited His Promises concerning you.

A vivid example of this involves Peter, one of the twelve men who walked with Jesus. In Mathew 16, Peter’s revelation of Jesus unlocked the door for him to preach the sermon that launched the church of The Living God (Acts 2). Unfortunately, between Matthew 16 and Acts 2, Peter committed one of the most horrific sins a person could commit—he denied Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)! But God’s Covenant with him was stronger and more binding than his mistake. When the angel appeared to the women, they were instructed to go and let the disciples know that Jesus had risen from the grave (Mark 16:7). Amazingly, the angel requested Peter by name! And on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the inaugural sermon that began the church. Three thousand souls came to Christ after he preached and the church has been growing every since (Acts 2:41).

There could be someone reading this devotional that’s bound by the mistakes of your past. Be restored today by understanding that God hasn’t changed His Mind concerning your destiny.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for Your Unfailing Love. Thank You for never giving up on us, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”

The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10