Some preachers continually speak about God providing earthly blessings
to His people. They declare that God wants us to have health, wealth and
success. Other preachers declare that we will not always be blessed in this
life. They both refer to blessings in this earthly realm and forget about the
eternal blessings.
God does want us to enjoy the temporal blessings, which He provides for
us; but they are not always guaranteed. In fact, God will also bless us with
trials and tribulation (Matthew 5:11; John 16:33). Jesus was tortured and crucified. John was in
prison and beheaded (Matt 11:2-6, 14:10). God gave Paul grace to deal with his thorn in the
flesh (2
Corinthians 12:9).
Blessings are gifts from God, which come in all shapes and fashions.
Many make us fortunate and happy; yet, sometimes, these blessings appear
couched in misfortune and tribulation. Our attitude about them is what makes
the difference. Our testimony may be the only source of saving grace for
someone suffering along with us.
If we rejoice always (James 1:2; Philippians 4:4), then we view even the most horrendous
trial as a blessing from God (Genesis 50:20). He walks through it with us, and in us, providing
for our needs and using us as a light in the darkness around us (Psalm 23; Philippians 4:19). It is healthy to
mourn our losses, but joy comes as we hold His hand through it all (Psalm 30:5).
God calls us to completely surrender to Him, to trust in His wisdom and
to have faith in His faithfulness to His Saints (Job 11:13-15; Proverbs 3:5-6). He rarely
operates as we expect or desire, but our Father always knows what is best.
Relying totally on God provides the most peaceful existence for us. Living in
the center of His will is the happiest place on earth.
Prayer:
Father God, You do all things beautifully in Your timing and way. You
are rarely early, but always on time, and usually at the very last earthly
minute! I am so glad that You brought me to the place of total surrender to You
and Your will in all things. Remind me to be still, to acknowledge You as God,
and to allow You to work out everything for my good (Psalm 46:10; Romans 8:28). When I remember
what happened when Sara gave her maid to her husband - the Muslim world was
born and they have been fighting the son of promise ever since – this prevents
me from inventing my own solutions to my problems and spurs me to desire to
walk in Your Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.
Thought for the Day:
When God is silent, He is simply enjoying our companionable silence; so
be still and know that He is God and has everything under His control.
– Psalm 115:3, 46:10, 16:9; Zechariah 4:6
