I recently had a conversation with a friend who said “I know God is going to work things out, I just don’t see how”. I have been there so many times…more times than I am comfortable with but each one of those situations has bolstered my faith when the next circumstance comes.
Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when we can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort. He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with us or those we love!
“Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV
Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.
Noah had no idea how long he would be in the ark. David collected five stones for his sling; he didn’t know the first one would kill the giant. Joseph served thirteen years as a slave in Egypt before he was promoted. Paul was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned, but he said those were light afflictions and that God’s grace was sufficient in every situation.
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:13 NLT
In Sunday’s worship service we sang the song “Way Maker”. The lyrics in that song that mean the most to me are these: “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working, Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working, You never stop, You never stop working, You never stop, You never stop working”.
God never stops working – He makes a way for us. God will lead us into victory. Thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ…” II Corinthians 2:14
Love this! People do stupid things and then say it is from the Lord. Their own doing and then they want to sit back and have Him fix it.
I agree, people often blame God for things He doesn’t and will not do. However, I am also thankful that He is a loving heavenly Father who is willing to help us out of the messes we make. That’s His grace!
Verse 15 makes me think of how our sin can bring about death of relationships and our spiritual growth. It quenches the Holy Spirit–willful sin is purposely closing our eyes and ears to God and taking a step away from the only light and help that can change our circumstances and give us His perspective. When we rely on self we just make things worse. Knowing the Holy Spirit resides within us makes me feel I’m never alone I always have Him there for help, comfort, wisdom and company. I never want to take Him into a sinful situation.
Thank God for the Holy Spirit! When we are led by the Spirit we WON’T give in to our flesh. We hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him.
Thank you for sharing this it has really Blessed me! May God bless and keep you safe!💕💕💕
I’m so glad it blessed you. God’s word should always give us direction and strength.