As I processed the news that my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, one thought that came to my mind was, Wow, what more amazing miracles does God want to do in and through my mom? When she told me the results of the biopsy, I was thousands of miles away from her, yet somehow I had peace knowing that God was in control of the situation. After seeing Him carry my mom through a painful divorce and the loss of a child, I had no doubt that He would once again unfold His power and faithfulness in her life.
When Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he encouraged them with the reality of God’s love and presence (Romans 8:35-39). By doing so he provided them with tremendous comfort and a sense of security. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul boldly affirmed a basic truth: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). He could have said that everything works itself out for good, but he didn’t. By pointing out God’s intervention to them, Paul revealed that God isn’t only aware of the circumstances we go through, but He’s actively and intimately involved—seeking our highest good.
Furthermore, Paul encourages us with the reality that God works for our good even in our challenges—suffering, pain, a bad diagnosis—and He has a purpose that’s greater than the circumstances that threaten us (Romans 8:28,35).
The same amazing yet simple truth of God’s active involvement in the lives of His followers is as true today as it was in first-century Rome. No matter what circumstances we’re going through, may we remember that God works good through them!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Job 42:1-17
More:
Read Gen. 50:14-21 to see an account of how God used hostile circumstances to accomplish something good.
Next:
How has God’s active presence in your life changed your perspective on circumstances you’re going through? What good thing has He recently brought out of a difficult experience in your life?
sandy229 on May 11, 2017 at 12:05 am
Romans 8:26 carries deep instruction. We dare not suppose we can truly intercede effectively on the sole basis of our perspective or understanding. Since we never really thoroughly how to pray as we ought, we must exercise the humility and faith to wait on God and let the Holy Spirit direct us.
Presumption-supposing we already know how to intercede for others-will not only hinder maximum effectiveness, it will also cause us to miss the thrilling sense of adventure God wants to bless us with as we receive His insight and enablement for intercessory prayer. How do we know without infinite minds whether God wants to move through us with weeping, travailing, wrestling,fasting, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, dreams, visions, mental pictures, impressions, verses of scripture quickened to us, or silence? Only by waiting on God and giving Him time to move on and through us.
Psalm 62:5 teaches this wisdom: “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
conmeo on May 11, 2017 at 9:34 am
Thank you Estera and Sandy for “expressing in words” the things of God those of us in uncertainty await. A great reminder to “wait quietly”. Thank God that our hope is in Him! Praise to Him and prayers for those waiting, not in quiet desperation, but quiet anticipation of His good gifts. Amen.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on May 11, 2017 at 10:31 am
Amen, conmeo. Indeed, I appreciate the distinction you made there of waiting on the Lord, not in quiet desperation but in quiet anticipation. Such a great reminder to not be anxious, but trust in Him. Blessings on your day!
Estera Pirosca Escobar on May 11, 2017 at 10:29 am
Thank you, sandy229, for sharing your thoughts. Absolutely, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength, wisdom and guidance for everything in our lives, including prayer. Isn’t it amazing to know that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). This gives us the confidence to wait on Him, to be still before Him, knowing He is in control and cares about us.
I’m curious, have you had an experience you are comfortable sharing, where you waited on God and gave Him time to move on and through you? What was the result? We’d be encouraged to know.
sandy229 on May 11, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Yes, hello Estera, and thank you for your comments. My son was in an automobile accident a few years ago and was not expected to survive according to Doctors, but I knew God could and would heal him, so I never gave up hope. 2 weeks later, he was released from the hospital and completely healed. During this time, I kept praying for him, knowing he would get better. If God had not carried me through this, I don’t know what would have happened. When someone does not have God to carry them through, I don’t know how they get through it, or if they do.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on May 11, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Wow, thank you for sharing. I’m so thankful God brought miraculous healing to your son! What an amazing testimony of His power! I’m so glad you opened your arms to Jesus and allowed the God of comfort to comfort you in this very difficult situation.
conmeo on May 11, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Thanks Estera for your Royal law question about comfortable sharing. Mine is love for others in this question. As was the case when Jesus cured the blind with messy mud much of this “stuff” we deal with is messy. Comfortable is what we are here at ODJ as followers of our Great God and Lord Jesus. Paul talks about the “thorn in his side” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. I relate here my thorn…relational reconciliation. As the Cross is concerned it has been my view that the Cross is to be viewed “through the Cross”…. The Glorious Resurrection. We are reconciled to God by the Resurrection. The Love spoken of in the “Royal Law” is to love others as Christ loved us. Reconciliation has been my thorn and I have been reluctant to talk about it. Pray….yes tens and tens of thousands of times…and it has been difficult to wait for the Lord to answer those prayers, I am confident He will. It is my prayer that the Lord answers the prayers of those who await this blessing and if it is His will, He will bestow on me that peace before I meet Him. If not I trust His will, love, grace and mercy will comfort me and those who wait ….In the Love of the “royal law”. Amen
i trust jesus on May 11, 2017 at 6:50 am
Gary Shultz where are you?
4everthankful on May 11, 2017 at 9:21 am
I have been asking the same thing. Gary! Please let us know you are ok!
Tom Felten on May 11, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Estera, your Mom sounds like an amazing woman! I’m so grateful for the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives—leading us and comforting us as face the peaks and valleys. Yes, God is present with us and is actively working within us for His glory.
Estera Pirosca Escobar on May 11, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Thank you, Tom. Indeed, my mom is an amazing woman. She has been through a lot, but I have seen over and over again how she draws her strength from the Lord in wonderful ways. Indeed, praise the Lord that His grace is all we need and His power works best in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
hsnpoor on May 11, 2017 at 7:41 pm
On the way into work this morning, I was listening to Alistair Begg on the radio. He made a comment that really struck me and has stayed with me all day and I trust it will remain in my mind for years to come. He commented on the importance of reading the newspaper and listening to the daily news in light of the Bible, not vice-versa. He cautioned about how easily we can succumb to the “worlds” POV on any given matter if we are not deeply rooted and grounded in the TRUTH of the Word of God. As I’ve thought about this throughout the day, I’m thinking it’s not only news stories that we need to be watchful about, but also the things that go on and impact our daily lives. We are living dangerously when we allow our life experience to color the lens through which we approach our Bibles, rather than the other way around. It’s so much easier to fall down than it is to get up. We need to be mindful, aware and vigilant. When we seem to be in the minority, out of step and often in direct opposition with the majority because we are living out Biblically informed convictions, we are probably on the right path and exactly where the Lord would have us be, even if (especially if) it feels uncomfortable and hard. God’s greater purpose in our lives is so infinitely better than any discomfort we may experience on the journey. Let’s not forget that and let’s do continue to remind one another of that encouraging truth. Thank you for a great devotion today, Estera! It really spoke to my heart!
Estera Pirosca Escobar on May 11, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Hsnpoor. How true it is that we need to cling to the Word of God as the standard for our lives. Our God is an amazing God and His presence is always with us. He promised that. Thank you for your encouragement!
conmeo on May 11, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Thank you hsnpoor for this and WOW. What insightful reminder. It is so popular to follow the so called “news” for so many and without biblical insight so infectious for those inclined to live in this world. I just love the blessings the Lord pours out on us through such forums as this!. How blessed we are….indeed! Thank you hsnpoor for inspiring us to the encouraging truth! Lord have us declare this to those who are lead astray in darkness, have us trust that you are using them and such lost paths to help us lead them to the truth Our Wonderful Lamp on the High Lampstand. Amen. Love and blessings of peace of the Lord to us all! Amen
sandy229 on May 11, 2017 at 9:32 pm
You really said a word here Kim. Thanks for sharing this with us.
godlove on May 12, 2017 at 8:20 am
Thank you for sharing this hsnpoor, very insightful indeed. Somehow I see a nice correlation between that message and Estera’s post on the importance of appreciating life in its entirety through the perspective of God’s Word and His Spirit living within us. There is nothing, no part of our lives which should escape this rule, neither our personal difficulties, nor community/societal ills. God is always actively present.