Back to Mom's journal again today. She wrote an entry on circumstances. I can't wait to see what she has written (I don't read them til I put them down here!!), being it a topic that has come up a lot in the last few days.
Circumstances
Genesis 50:15-21 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Betrayed by his brothers- we are betrayed by our own feelings.
Falsely accused- circumstances are not always what they appear to be.
Imprisoned unjustly- we feel this way when it seems Satan is having his way in our life in the present situation. But, remember, God is in control and allowing it for our own good, especially for the purpose His plans are fulfilled in our life so He is glorified.
Remember
Psalm 145: 8-9 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone, He showers compassion on all His creation.
God is good, His purposes are good, as is everything He does.
Psalm 103:19 The Lord has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything.
God is Sovereign. There is nothing outside His control.
Romans 8:28 And 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.
God promises believers that He will work things together for our good.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding, "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means yes) ascends to God for His glory.
God keeps His promises. Ponder on, meditate on, think on, the deeper teachings of Scripture--start with the Lord's character and promises.
Refuse to accept the circumstances - grasp the deeper truths of God.
Is god in every circumstance? Yes He is. God is in both triumphs and tragedies of life. He either sends them or permits them.
From me"
That's a lot to think about. Some circumstances are so sad, so dire, so hard to endure and yet God is using them...maybe even using more than anything u
those that are the most painful and difficult for our good and for a even greater blessing for others. I think of an article I read yesterday about a man who was martyred for his faith in Bangladesh. He left behind a wife and children. And yet his family and church saw people become more open to the Gospel...the other villagers were asking questions about Christ and why this man died for him. Even his own brothers and parents were at the funeral (they had disowned him) and got to hear the Gospel. His wife was blessed and happy because of this turn of events, even as she walked through her grief. When we are going through trials and tragedies, it is hard to imagine or see anything good coming from them. And it is even harder to see past them to the future glory, to remember that our trials are working in us a greater good and an eternal purpose. And it's funny because this was all what I've been talking with a friend lately. God is so amazing how He confirms His message. And yesterday while I was running...more confirmation in a podcast from Joyce on the transitory nature of this life and the problems in it...LOL God is wonderful!
1 Peter 1:7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Lord, help me and all of us to keep our eyes on You. Let us be watching You through all our struggles to see what You are doing and trying to accomplish. It is when we get our eyes off of You that we start sinking into the waves of turmoil. Lord, work in me Your purpose. Thank You. Only You know the beginning from the end, only You have the wisdom and knowledge to navigate me through this life. Be glorified in all of us today. In Jesus' name. AMEN
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